LIN NEWS
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LIN NewsLIN LLC and Cuatrecasas to Hold Joint Seminar at Casa Asia, MadridOn October 28, 2025, David H. Yang of LIN LLC will deliver a presentation titled “Business Entry Strategies in Korea” at Casa Asia in Madrid, Spain, in collaboration with the Spanish law firm Cuatrecasas. Casa Asia is a public diplomatic institution jointly established by the Spanish government and local authorities. It is widely recognized as Spain’s most prestigious and influential organization dedicated to promoting cultural, economic, and diplomatic exchange with the Asia-Pacific region. This seminar follows the joint event previously co-hosted by LIN and Cuatrecasas in Seoul on May 11, 2024. ▶ Related article: https://www.mk.co.kr/news/business/11012821 ▶ Madrid event link: https://www.casaasia.es/actividad/conferencia-como-hacer-negocios-en-corea-del-sur/?wcs_timestamp=17616438002025.10.14.
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News LetterMobility Legal Updates_[Regulations]The regulatory framework governing the automotive industry is rapidly undergoing a shift, moving beyond electrification and autonomous driving to focus increasingly on data, security, and safety. While the government is actively promoting mobility innovation, it is simultaneously tightening regulations on core risks such as vehicle cybersecurity and the safety management of charging facilities. In this newsletter, LIN Mobility Team introduces three major developments from October 2025: amendment to the Electrical Safety Management Act (mandatory reporting and insurance for charging facilities), Mobility Innovation Committee’s approval of regulatory exceptions, and amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Motor Vehicle Management Act (addition of cyberattacks as new grounds for restricting vehicle operation). Enforcement of the Amended Electrical Safety Management Act (effective November 28, 2025) (The addition of a mandatory reporting requirement for the installation of EV charging facilities and the obligation for charging service providers to obtain liability insurance) The partial amendment to the Electrical Safety Management Act, promulgated on May 27, 2025, will take effect on November 28, 2025. Amidst the rapid expansion of the EV charging facilities, the amendment was introduced to prevent safety accidents arising from their installation and operation and to reinforce the system for prompt compensation for damages. Following the enforcement of the revised Act, a new obligation to report the installation or alteration of charging facilities to the relevant mayor or provincial governor has been established. Furthermore, the mandatory liability insurance requirement, designed to cover third-party damages caused by charging facilities, has been significantly reinforced. Consequently, the reporting procedure has become an administrative prerequisite for the entire process, including the new establishment, expansion, or replacement of charging equipment. Charging service providers must confirm and substantiate their enrollment in and maintenance of insurance coverage by the effective date; failure to comply may result in administrative sanctions such as fines. Additionally, even charging facilities that are currently in operation must fulfill the reporting and insurance subscription requirements within six months from the effective date of the amended Act. This amendment is expected to increase the regulatory burden on EV charging service providers across the board of installation and operation. Mobility Innovation Committee Grants 15 Regulatory Exceptions (Sandbox Approvals) Including dedicated long-distance lanes on expressways and the installation of logojectors to prevent 119 ambulance accidents Pursuant to Article 12 of the Act on the Support for the Innovation and Revitalization of Mobility, it is possible to grant regulatory exceptions for demonstrations under certain conditions upon a corporation’s application regarding unreasonable mobility-related regulations. The review of these exceptions is conducted by the Mobility Innovation Committee under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT), and the Committee typically decides on exception grants once per quarter. MOLIT's 6th Mobility Innovation Committee approved a total of 15 regulatory sandbox exceptions for demonstrations. Key exceptions include: - Audio-visual warning devices combining a nighttime logojector* and a daytime directional siren** are exceptionally permitted under the Motor Vehicle Management Act for 119 ambulances. This enables warnings to surrounding vehicles before entering intersections. * A device that projects a specific logo or text onto the road surface at night, clearly warning drivers of "Ambulance Approaching" when entering an intersection. ** A siren designed to focus sound in a specific direction for increased range. - The Korea Expressway Corporation is permitted a special exception under the Road Traffic Act to test the operation of a 'Dedicated Long-Distance Lane,' which separates long-distance and short-distance vehicle flows by lane in certain congested sections. - A model allowing individuals to acquire multiple corporate taxi licenses and convert them into restricted licenses—operating only in specific areas and during specific hours—has been approved, paving the way for the possibility of reducing the corporate taxi fleet without financial investment. - A special exception to the Passenger Transport Service Act was granted, integrating the business zone for call-platform-based premium taxis into the Seoul-Incheon-Gyeonggi metropolitan area unit. Furthermore, an additional 11 cases were approved, including support for the mobility of transport-vulnerable groups, mediation for personal/neighbor-to-neighbor car-sharing in Chungnam region, replacement vehicle service in the event of a truck accident, and tuning of the loading device of recycling collection vehicles using advanced materials. The safety and operational effectiveness of these cases will be verified in the field to support institutional improvements. Amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Motor Vehicle Management Act The addition of ‘threat to public safety due to cyberattacks/threats to automobiles' as a ground for restricting vehicle operation The Enforcement Decree of the Motor Vehicle Management Act was recently promulgated (Presidential Decree No. 35703) on August 12, 2025, and entered into force on August 14, 2025. The core of this amendment is the insertion of Article 5, which specifies "a cyberattack or threat to automobiles that may pose a severe risk to the safe operation of an automobile or to public safety" as a direct basis for an operation restriction order. This provides a legal framework allowing the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to command an operation restriction (e.g., temporary suspension of operation, feature limitation, return to a designated location). The restriction would be limited by specific vehicle type, software version, region, and time period, preventing the spread of accidents when signs of an intrusion are identified (e.g., intrusion into vehicle/part ECUs, malicious modification of over-the-air (OTA) updates, remote control attempts, etc.). Given that operation restrictions due to cyberattacks/threats under this amendment are imposed by vehicle type and not individual automobiles (pursuant to Article 25(2) of the Motor Vehicle Management Act), a command to restrict operation is expected to cause massive damage to the business of automobile manufacturers. Accordingly, the importance of cybersecurity has significantly increased from a risk management perspective in the automotive industry. *** LIN LLC has extensive experience in providing advisory and litigation services in the mobility industry, particularly in areas such as administrative regulations, and patent and trade secret disputes related to motor vehicles. Our Mobility Team consists of attorneys and experts with a distinctive interest and passion for automobiles. Should you wish to learn more about this newsletter or have any other inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact LIN’s Mobility Team. Attorney Tae-Joon Bae (tjbae@law-lin.com, +82 10 8237 8123) Attorney Min-Gu Kang (mgkang@law-lin.com, +82 10 3907 9217) Attorney Ho-Yeon Kim (hykim@law-lin.com, +82 2 3477 6300) Attorney Jung-Pil Oh (jpoh@law-lin.com, +82 2 3477 8695)2025.10.27.
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NoticeLin Signs MOU with Korea New & Renewable Energy Association (KNREA)Mutual cooperation on new & renewable energy-related projects through legal services in the field of laws and regulations On October 26, Lin signed an MOU with KNREA to promote the development of the domestic new & renewable energy industry. The agreement was signed to provide various legal services to KNREA and its member companies, including information on new & renewable energy-related laws and regulations. Through the agreement, the two parties agreed to cooperate on ▶ improving new & renewable energy-related laws and systems ▶ providing legal advice on new & renewable energy ▶ and training on new & renewable energy. In line with the trend of carbon neutrality, Lin will exert its best to promote the sustainable development of the renewable energy industry, which can replace conventional energy using fossil fuels and nuclear power. For more information, please visit KNREA website below. http://www.knrea.or.kr/bbs/?act=bbs&subAct=view&bid=agreement&page=1&order_type=desc&seq=58282023.11.10.
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Recruitment PersonnelNew RecruitmentsWe are pleased to welcome Jung Bong Lee (Partner), Lance B. Lee (Foreign Legal Consultant - Partner), and Ki Suk Seol (Of Counsel) as new members of our Firm. 1. Jeong Bong Lee, Partner - Incheon Songdo High School(68th) - Yonsei University, Department of Law - Chungnam National University, School of Law - Korean Bar Examination (40th, 1998) - Judicial Research and Training Institute (27th) - University of Vienna – Criminal Justice Institute Visiting Scholar (2008) Past) Incheon District Public Prosecutors’ Office – Prosecutor (2001) Past) Daejeon District Public Prosecutors’ Office, Hongseong Branch – Prosecutor (2003) Past) Incheon District Public Prosecutors’ Office, Bucheon Branch – Prosecutor (2005) Past) Seoul Central District Public Prosecutors’ Office – Prosecutor (2007) Past) Supreme Prosecutors’ Office - Prosecutor Researcher (2007) Past) Busan District Public Prosecutors’ Office – Prosecutor (2013) Past) Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) - Head of Strategic Analytics (2014) Past) Chuncheon District Public Prosecutors’ Office, Gangneung Branch – Chief Prosecutor (2016) Past) Daegu District Public Prosecutors’ Office, Seobu Branch – Chief Prosecutor, Criminal Division 3 (2017) Past) Seoul Eastern District Public Prosecutors’ Office - Chief Prosecutor, Criminal Division 5 (2018) Past) Seoul Southern District Public Prosecutors’ Office - Chief Prosecutor, Criminal Division 2 (2019) Past) Supreme Prosecutors’ Office – Human Rights Policy Officer (2020) Past) Gwangju District Public Prosecutors’ Office – Human Rights Protection Officer (2021) Past) Chuncheon District Public Prosecutors’ Office – Chief of Wonju Branch (2022) Past) Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office (Daegu District Public Prosecutors’ Office, Secondment(2023), Voluntary Resignation) Current) LIN Since his appointment as a prosecutor in 2001, Mr. Lee has served as a prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, a researcher at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, a prosecutor at the Busan District Prosecutors' Office, a secondee at the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), a deputy prosecutor at the Seoul Eastern and Southern District Prosecutors' Offices, and a human rights policy officer at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, before finally retiring in 2023 as the Chief Prosecutor of the Wonju District Prosecutors' Office. During his 22 years and 8 months as a prosecutor, he discharged a wide range of cases, including intellectual property infringement, technology theft and unfair competition, medical malpractice, sexual assault, finance, taxation, homicide, special crime, public security, and human rights policy (due process compliance in investigations). Mr. Lee, who joined Lin as a partner in November 2023, plans to actively engage in various cases such as securities, finance, and corporate anti-corruption based on diverse investigative and theoretical experience accumulated from the prosecution. Lin boasts top domestic experts in responding to financial, corporate crimes, and other investigative matters, and we will strive to provide our clients with high-quality legal services. 2. Lance B. Lee, Foreign Legal Consultant (Partner) - Boston College Law School – J.D. - University of Virginia – B.A. Past) Dentons Lee - Chief Operating Officer, Head of International Arbitration & Litigation and Partner, 2012-2023 Past) Kim & Chang - Partner Past) STX Shipbuilding Corporation – Group General Counsel Past) POSCO – Overseas Projects Team Leader Past) U.S. Army JAG Corps – Trial Counsel, Prosecutor and Captain Past) Gainer, Rient & Hotis - Attorney Current) LIN – Head of International Arbitration & Litigation, Partner (Present) Mr. Lee, a U.S. attorney, was responsible for various international arbitration and litigation cases for 11 years at Kim & Chang, representing numerous international corporations and diverse fields. Serving as General Counsel at STX Shipbuilding Corporation and Head of the International Legal Team at POSCO, he handled tasks such as international arbitration, international litigation, IP, corporate M&A, contract negotiations, and joint investments for global conglomerates. Subsequently, as a partner at the Seoul Office of Dentons, he worked for 11 years as the Head of the International Arbitration/Litigation Team, leading numerous international arbitration cases as lead counsel. In 2024, for the first time in history, more than half of the global population will be holding elections, signaling the end of America’s “unilateral hegemony” and prompting the world to prepare for more disputes. With major industrial powers intensifying their industrial policies and protectionist measures to secure leadership in advanced and eco-friendly industries post-election, there is an anticipated increase in international disputes, particularly in advanced technology sectors such as semiconductors and information technology (IT). Mr. Lee, a foreign attorney leading the International Arbitration/Litigation Team, will leverage his experience and expertise to actively discharge legal advice on the prevention and resolution of international disputes for various global corporations based on his accumulated knowledge and professionalism. 3. Ki Suk Seol, Of Counsel - Hongik University, Department of Architecture - Kyungpook National University, Graduate School of Law, - KAIST, Intellectual Property Graduate School - Bar Examination (3rd) Past) Eland Group, Legal Department Past) Hyundai Engineering, Legal Department Past) Ministry of Justice, Legal Affairs Officer Past) Ministry of Justice, Legal Affairs Secretary Current) LIN Mr. Seol, as an in-house counsel for a large corporation, has accumulated expertise in a wide range of legal affairs that can arise within the company, including civil and criminal litigation and consultation, fair trade practices, compliance, intellectual property, construction, and labor-related dispute management. Subsequently, serving as a Legal Affairs Secretary at the Ministry of Justice, he handled administrative adjudication and litigation, legislation drafting and revision, interpretation of laws and rights, review of government and legislative bills, formulation of legislative strategies, improvement of attorney and notary systems, and enhancement of legal technology systems. Through these roles, he has built expertise in planning, administration, and legislation. Amidst the ongoing challenges such as the increase in unsold and unoccupied properties, rising construction costs, high interest rates, and stagnation in real estate PF, it is anticipated that legal disputes and litigation among real estate market participants, including developers, contractors, financial institutions, trustees, and local housing associations, will continue to rise. Mr. Seol, who has served as an in-house counsel for a global integrated construction company, has handled a wide range of cases from civil and criminal matters to fair trade, construction, labor, and compliance issues, from the client's perspective, collaborating with various major law firms. Drawing upon his extensive practical experience accumulated in the field, he is committed to providing tailored solutions, not only advisory services but also litigation support, to corporate clients. 4. Recruitment of Foreign Lawyer With recent concerns over deflation in China, attitudes of Korean companies towards China have become notably cautious. Consequently, there is a growing need for professional advice regarding entry into the Chinese market. Recognizing this demand, Lin has recently recruited Ms. Wenpu Yang (Chinese attorney), aiming to provide high-quality legal service that aligns with our clients’ business strategies and management objectives on various issues related to Sino-Korean business relations. Going forward, Lin promises to continuously recruit verified talents in various fields to ensure customer satisfaction.2024.02.05.