Sejong, one of South Korea's largest law firms, announced Monday that it is launching an artificial intelligence (AI) and digital competition law team — the first such dedicated unit among major Korean law firms — to proactively address emerging competition law issues.
From global big tech companies to large and mid-sized Korean corporations, businesses are pursuing technological innovation, strategic alliances, and new business expansion in the AI and digital markets. Competition authorities both in Korea and abroad are closely monitoring how market participants' actions in AI and digital markets affect market structure and consumer welfare. However, the legal principles governing how various business strategies in AI and digital markets are evaluated and regulated under competition law have not yet been sufficiently established in practice. This means companies in the sector must carefully examine their regulatory risks under competition law.
While other major law firms have largely responded through general-purpose AI centers, Sejong said it formed the AI and Digital Competition Law Team specifically to conduct in-depth analysis of AI and digital industries from a competition law perspective and to address regulatory risks.
Attorney Lee Chang-hun, who completed the 33rd class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute and has extensive experience handling cases in digital sectors including mobile, semiconductors, and AI, will lead the team. Lee has handled major domestic and international fair trade cases for more than 20 years and combines practical and academic expertise, having served as planning director of the Korea Competition Law Association and as an operating committee member of Seoul National University's Competition Law Center. Choi Jung-hyuk, a U.S.-licensed foreign attorney who heads Sejong's Global Strategy Division, has also joined as a core member of the team.
Additional team members include Kim Hyun-ah, a U.S.-licensed foreign attorney; Park Gyu-tae, an attorney from the 44th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute; Woo Seung-jun, an attorney from the 5th Korean Bar Examination; Kim Tae-seok, an attorney from the 7th Korean Bar Examination; and Kim Jae-yi, an attorney from the 7th Korean Bar Examination. Ji Cheol-ho, a senior advisor and former vice chairman of the Fair Trade Commission (FTC), and Lee In-ho, a senior advisor specializing in economic analysis, are also participating.
"We will support our clients in securing sustained competitiveness even amid the changing competitive landscape," Lee said.