On the 31st, Law Firm YK announced the appointment of Seoul National University's Professor Kim Hwa-jin, a top expert in Korean corporate governance and ESG, as an advisor.

김화진 법무법인 YK 고문 [사진=법무법인 YK]

Professor Kim, a pioneer in Korean corporate law, has both academic and practical experience. He graduated in Mathematics from Seoul National University, earned a Master of Laws from Harvard, and a Doctorate from the University of Munich. He has taught at major universities worldwide, including Michigan, Stanford, Tel Aviv, and NYU, and published in Oxford and Cambridge journals. He chairs Samsung Securities' Board and serves as a Senior Outside Director at Hyundai Mobis. His influential books "Ownership and Management" (2005), "Mergers and Acquisitions" (2008), and "Corporate Governance and Corporate Finance" (2010) are recognized by Korea's National Academy of Sciences.

Professor Kim has been instrumental in policy consultation and institutional design. He chaired the Governance Improvement Advisory Committee of the National Pension Service and the Voting Rights Committee of the Korea ESG Standards Institute, contributing to Samsung Securities and Hyundai Mobis on board operations, internal control, and ESG response. Previously, he was an outside director and ESG Committee Chair at HD Hyundai and contributed to the "Asan Chung Ju-yung Legacy" (2021) publication.

At a seminar on the 11th co-hosted by YK and the Korea In-house Counsel Association, he discussed "The Future of Korean Corporate Governance and Amended Commercial Law," warning about the readiness for ESG and shareholder protection.

Professor Kim will advise YK on shareholder meeting disputes, damages lawsuits due to commercial law changes, general shareholder protection during management sales, improving board operations, and developing ESG strategies.

YK expressed that Professor Kim's addition is crucial for preparing corporate clients for challenges posed by commercial law changes and ESG regulations. His blend of academic and practical insights is expected to guide corporate decision-making effectively.