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Eun-Young Lee (41st class) Tong participated in the compilation of the North Korean Criminal Law Commentary, published by the Ministry of Justice, along with Professor Emeritus Jeon Jeon-Yeon of Yonsei University Law School. The commentary systematically explains the provisions of the North Korean Criminal Code in the context of the unified legal system and incorporates analysis from academia and practice. From the perspective of a practitioner at Law Firm Tong, Mr. Lee provided interpretations and directions for improvement on specific practical issues such as differences and inconsistencies in the criminal legal systems of North and South Korea, disparities in criminal policy and human rights standards, and differences in procedural and evidentiary rules. In particular, he was introduced as having contributed to the design and development of a transitional legal system applicable to unification. The book is expected to be used as a guide for legal system development, education, and practice in preparation for reunification, and Lee's practical contributions are important for the harmonization of the legal systems of North and South Korea and the preparation of practical solutions in the reunification process.
Law Firm Tong (CEO Lee Hyung-taek) signed an official agency agreement with professional billiards player Choi Bo-ram to support the player's stable professional activities through financial support and promotion. The signing ceremony was attended by Lee Hyung-taek and Kim Young-ki, and Choi will be officially represented by Tong to enhance its brand image and participate in social contribution activities. Law Firm Tong also promised to support Choi's return to domestic and international competitions, such as participating in the domestic selection for the 2024 Hanoi Open. Legal issues and future activities include managing image rights and sponsorship contracts, setting terms and conditions for financial support, reviewing advertising contracts and compliance for public relations and brand collaborations, and designing legal structures for social contribution campaigns. Mr. Lee emphasized that he will expand his social role as a legal professional by connecting the challenging spirit of athletes with the value of trust, and Mr. Tong plans to materialize a sustainable partnership model linking athlete sponsorship, legal advice, brand collaboration, and social contribution.
Law Firm Tong has signed an official agency agreement with professional billiards player Choi Boram to provide financial support for his stable activities and various sponsorship activities. As the official athlete of Law Firm Tong, Choi will participate in brand image enhancement and social communication activities, and Law Firm Tong will support the athlete's activities and strengthen its image and external connections. Choi's challenging spirit and integrity are in line with Tong's values of professionalism and trust, and the firm emphasized that this agreement will allow Tong to communicate with the wider society to solidify its role as a trusted group of legal professionals. In the future, Tong plans to continue various sponsorship and promotional activities based on professionalism and responsibility to realize its trust-centered law firm values.
Tong Lawyers signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with architectural firm Jun Architects on May 15 at its Seoul office. The agreement is part of a strategic collaboration to effectively respond to various disputes that may arise in the field of architecture and construction and to provide more specialized and practical legal services. Tong said that through the agreement, the firm plans to proactively respond to legal risks in the increasingly sophisticated field of architecture and construction and provide clients with more precise legal assistance. Based on Jun Architects' domestic and international awards and design capabilities, Tong said the partnership will focus on dispute resolution and enhancing the effectiveness of legal services.
Mr. Hae Soo Kim, an independent director of Law Firm Tong, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Internal Transaction Committee and ESG Committee. Mr. Kim is a former Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, formerly the Chief Counsel of Jungbu Law Firm, and currently an advisor at Law Firm Tong, and has spent most of his career focusing on investigating serious crimes. Mr. Kim's criminal defense background can bring a legal and risk management perspective to insider trading and ESG oversight. However, as the article shows, the prevalence of outside directors with legal backgrounds can lead to governance-related legal issues, including a lack of accounting, finance, and ESG expertise, reduced effectiveness of committee functions, and conflicts of interest and independence issues, highlighting the need for a balance of expertise and independence in committee composition.
Tong Lawyers participated as an official sponsor of the 2025 KRA CUP Asian Junior Equestrian Games held from May 15 to 18, 2025 at the Korea Horse Society Equestrian Stadium. The lawyers participated in the international tournament, which attracted junior athletes from 14 Asian countries, and supported the management of the tournament, on-site cultural events and experience programs, and domestic youth competitions. Tong's lawyers emphasized their social responsibility as legal professionals by presenting their vision of fostering youth sports talent, expanding exchanges among Asian countries, and strengthening the global competitiveness of the domestic horse industry. The firm plans to continue various lawyer-led social contribution activities and support for future generations in the future.
Law Firm Tong's Kim Hae-soo (Law 79), Lee Hyung-taek (Law 82), Kim Young-ki (Law 85), and Baek Soo-jin (English 91) were featured in the brochure for the "Ancient Law Alumni Night 2025" held on May 7, and participated in the 120th anniversary celebration of Korea University School of Law. As alumni, they played a symbolic role in the event, honoring the history and achievements of the School of Law and pledging to make a leap forward and innovate in the legal profession. Through this introduction, Tong emphasized its continued exchange and cooperation with Korea University College of Law, expressing its commitment to inheriting tradition and leading innovation. Through its participation in the event, the firm expressed its commitment to contribute to the development of the legal profession and position itself as a responsible partner. The lawyers presented their plans to strengthen the link between legal education and legal practice, promising practical follow-up activities such as strengthening education-practice linkages based on alumni networking, mentoring and job placement support, and expanding industry-academia cooperation.
Lawyer Tong Oh Ki-chan advised Ms. A to submit the written agreement and the fact that she paid the settlement amount to the investigative agency. He explained that if the settlement agreement contains a clause such as 'no civil or criminal objection' and is signed and witnessed, it has a strong legal effect, and in criminal cases, the victim's willingness to not be punished and the fact that he paid the settlement amount will be taken into account in the investigation and trial process. However, Mr. Oh pointed out that the victim's decision to drop the charges is a free act of will, so the agreement alone cannot be used to force the victim to drop the charges. Instead, he recommended preparing for civil proceedings and submitting the settlement agreement and receipts to the investigative agency if necessary, as non-fulfillment of the agreement can be remedied by filing a lawsuit for civil damages, alimony, or return of the settlement amount. Another legal issue is that it is difficult to be recognized in practice because it is necessary to prove the other party's initial deception and intentionality in order to counter-sue for fraud.
Tong & Kim has been selected as the official legal counsel for the Seongsan Young Apartment (3,710 units) reconstruction project in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Based on its expertise and practical experience in the field of urban maintenance projects, the firm will participate in the preparation stage for the establishment of the association, establishing the initial legal strategy for the project, responding to permit procedures, and reviewing and drafting various contracts. Law Firm Tong diagnoses legal issues in the entire maintenance business in advance and helps to promote the business quickly and stably. Specifically, the team will provide practical solutions to associations and residents on various legal risks, such as interpreting the Urban Maintenance Act, responding to regulations related to construction and subdivision, reviewing construction contracts and liability for defects, and responding to administrative penalties and civil disputes, contributing to the protection of rights and project schedule management.
Law Firm Tong has signed a business agreement with the Korea Association of Women Presidents to provide its members with the Personal Advisory Lawyer Service, which is provided directly by Mr. Oh Ki-chan, a former deputy prosecutor. The in-person consultation will allow for reliable and in-depth legal advice, enhancing the verification of facts and customized strategies for each member's individual case. Mr. Oh said that the firm will provide practical legal support with the goal of stabilizing the activities and protecting the rights and interests of moderators based on its expertise, emphasizing systematic support for legal issues needed in the field, including rights protection, dispute prevention and response, and legal risk management. Tong will continue to collaborate with various professional organizations to provide customized legal services in the field.
