Board of Trustees

Sean (Sungwoo) Lim is the co-head of the International Arbitration Practice Group at Lee & Ko.

Sean served as an inaugural member of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) Court of Arbitration amidst the 16 most prestigious arbitration practitioners around the world. He also served as Secretary General of the Asia Pacific Regional Arbitration Group (APRAG). Recently, he was selected as a member of the International Advisory Board of the Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC).

Domestically, Sean has acted as the Chairman of the foreign relations committee at the Seoul International Dispute Resolution Center (IDRC), part of the IRDC’s worldwide network. He also served as vice president of the Korean Arbitrators Association (KAA), the president of the Korean Council for International Arbitration (KOCIA), director of ICC Korea and member of the KCAB international arbitration committee. He is currently president of the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (KCAB) sports arbitration committee and member of the management committee of the Seoul International Dispute Resolution Center (SIDRC).

In addition to his many years of experience conducting arbitration cases seated in various jurisdictions, including Hong Kong, London, Singapore, and New York, Sean has led many high-profile cases that have set major precedents in Korea. He is currently working on two investment treaty arbitration cases brought against the Republic of Korea.

With decades of experience in leading complex multinational disputes, he has been consistently recognised as a leading practitioner in the area of international arbitration by various legal publications including Legal 500, Chambers & Partners and Asialaw. He is the only leading Korean practitioner who participated in all three major active projects related to arbitration practice in Korea: the Law Reform Commission for Amendments to the Korean Arbitration Act; the Law Reform

Commission for Amendments to the Korean Arbitration Rules; and the Law Enactment Commission for Enactment of the Commercial Arbitration Promotion Act.

Based on his decades of work in this field, Sean received an award in 2017 from the Ministry of Justice for his long-standing contribution to the development of commercial arbitration in South Korea. He was also selected as a “Dispute Resolution Star” for international arbitration by Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific in 2019 and was recognised as “International Arbitration Practitioner of the Year” by Legal Times in 2018 and “Best International Arbitration Practitioner of the Year” by Korea Economy Business in 2021.

Sean holds degrees from Seoul National University College of Law (LLB) and Cornell Law School (LLM). He is licensed to practise in Korea and New York. He recently published International Arbitration, still the only Korean treatise solely dedicated to international arbitration. His book has received wide acclaim from academics and practitioners alike both nationally and abroad. In addition, Sean served as an adjunct professor at the Seoul National University School of Law where he taught international arbitration.

Education

• 1995: Cornell University Law School – LL.M.
• 1989: Judicial Research and Training Institute, Supreme Court of Korea
• 1987: Seoul National University, College of Law – LL.B.

Work Experience

• 1989-Present: Lee & Ko
• 2020- Present: President, Korean Council for International Arbitration (KOCIA)
• 2019-Present: Adjunct Professor, Seoul National University School of Law
• 2017-Present: President, the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board Sport Arbitration Committee
• 2015-Present: Member of VIAC Advisory Board, Vienna International Arbitral Centre(VIAC)
• 2013-2016: Standing member of a committee, Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC)
• 2011-2015: Vice-President, the Korean Arbitrators Association,Inc.
• 2009-2011: Secretary General, Asia Pacific Regional Arbitration Group (APRAG)
• 2008-Present: Arbitrator, the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (KCAB)
• 1995-1996: Perkins Coie, Seattle
• 1995: Davis Wright Tremaine, Portland

AREAS OF PRACTICE

• International Litigation
• International Arbitration

Admissions

• Admitted to bar, Korea(1998)
• Admitted to bar, New York(1996)
• Admitted to the Korean Patent Bar(1999)

Languages

Korean, English, Japanese

Representative Cases

[Disputes Involving International Commercial Transactions/Supply of Goods Agreements/Sale of Goods Agreements]

• A JCAA arbitration between a Japanese company and a Korean auto parts manufacturer involving disputes over a supply contract.
• An ICC arbitration between a Dutch company and a major Korean construction company involving a KRW 40 billion claim related to a catalysts sales contract.
• An SCC arbitration between a Korean civil engineering material manufacturer and a Russian construction company involving disputes over a supply contract.
• An AAA arbitration between a major Korean IT company and a multinational IT company involving disputes related to a dealership agreement.
• An AAA arbitration between a Brazilian company and a major Korean trading company involving disputes related to a contract for the sale of goods.
• A CIETAC arbitration between a Chinese manufacturer and a major Korean trading company involving disputes over a rebar import contract.
• A JCAA arbitration between a major Japanese chemical company and a major Korean company involving disputes over a preform products supply contract.
• An ICC arbitration between a Korean electronics company and a major U.S. electronics company involving disputes related to the termination of a dealership agreement.
• An ICC arbitration between a major German company and a major Korean trading company involving disputes over a letter of credit.
• An ICC arbitration between an Australian steel company and a multinational steel company concerning disputes related to a copper ore.
• An ICC arbitration between a major Korean trading company and a Saudi Arabian company involving disputes over a distribution agreement.
• An ICC arbitration between a major Korean automobile company and an Oman manufacturer involving disputes over a distributorship agreement.
• An ICC arbitration between a major Korean automobile company and a major U.S manufacturer involving disputes related to an indemnity agreement.
• An ICC arbitration between a Chinese software development company and a Korean telecommunications company involving disputes related to a mobile phone parts export contract.
• An ICC arbitration between a Dutch company and a leading Korean medical device company involving disputes over an exclusive sales agreement.
• An ICC arbitration between a German semiconductor and LCD exhaust gas handling systems manufacturer and a Korean company involving disputes related to a breach of a non-competition obligation.
• A KCAB arbitration between a Korean steel company and a U.S. supplier involving damages claims for a breach of a supply contract.

[Disputes Involving M&A/Joint Venture and Other Investments]

• An ICC arbitration between a Japanese company and a major Korean company involving disputes over an acquisition of a major Korean insurance company.
• A KCAB arbitration between a global luxury brand and a leading Korean apparel company involving disputes related to an asset transfer agreement.
• An ICC arbitration between a global IT company and a major Korean IT company involving M&A disputes.
• An ICC arbitration between the government of the Republic of Korea and a joint venture company based in Bermuda involving disputes concerning dividend distribution and bond payment.
• An ICC arbitration between the government of the Republic of Korea, a major Korean bank and a U.S. private equity funds involving disputes related to indemnification obligations.
• An ICC arbitration between a Korean company and a Swiss company involving disputes over a convertible bond agreement.
• An ICC arbitration between the majority shareholders of a Korean company and a Swiss company involving disputes over a call option agreement.
• An ICC arbitration between an affiliate of a major U.S. financial company and a multinational company involving disputes related to the sale and payment of non-performing loan.
• An ICC arbitration between a Korean shipping company and a multinational company involving disputes over a joint venture agreement.

[Disputes Involving Finance/Securities/Capital Markets]

• A LCIA arbitration between Goldman Sachs and Heungkuk Life involving securities related disputes.
• An ICC arbitration between Korean Deposit Insurance Corporation and SC Bank/Newbridge related to stock sale disputes.
• An ICC arbitration between Hanwha Corporation and Orix Corporation involving disputes over stock valuation and payment.
• An ICC arbitration between LSF-KDIC Investment Co., Ltd. and Resolution & Finance Corporation involving shareholders disputes related to Busan cargo terminal sales payment.
• An ICC arbitration between Dr. Change Jae Shin, the Chairman of Kyobo Life, and Kyobo Life’s financial investors involving a KRW 2 trillion dispute related to a put option.

[Disputes Involving Construction Projects and Energy]

• An ad hoc arbitration between a major Korean construction company and an Oman company involving a KRW 60 billion dispute related to a construction project in the Middle East.
• An ICC arbitration between a major Korean electricity company and a leading Saudi Arabian construction company involving disputes related to a construction project in Qatar.
• An ICC arbitration between a French reactor supplier and a Korean electric power company involving disputes over a nuclear power plant.
• An ICC arbitration between a leading Brazilian boiler company and a major Korean construction company involving disputes related to a power cogeneration plant project in Thailand.
• An ICC arbitration between a major Korean construction company and a Thai power generation company involving disputes over an off-shore contract.
• An ICC arbitration between a major Korean construction company and a U.A.E company involving disputes related to evaporators.
• An ICC arbitration between a major French construction company and a leading Korean construction company involving disputes over dredging work of the Busan New Port Construction Project.
• A KCAB arbitration between a Danish company and a major Korean alternative energy company in relation to defects in wind turbine generators.
• A KCAB arbitration between a foreign cogeneration company and a Korean construction company involving disputes over liquidated damages for the delay.
• A KCAB arbitration between a Chinese company and a Korean energy company concerning a breach of a petroleum sales agreement.

[Investment Treaty Disputes]

• Elliot Associates, L.P. v. Republic of Korea, an UNCITRAL arbitration under the Korea-US FTA.
• Mason Capital, L.P. and Mason Management LLC v. Republic of Korea, an UNCITRAL arbitration under the Korea-US FTA.

[Disputes Involving Maritime/Shipping/Aviation]

• A KRW 20 billion SIAC arbitration between a Korean steel company and a Norwegian company concerning a breach of a maritime transport contract.
• An LMAA arbitration between a Hong Kong carriers and a leading Korean financial company over ship building disputes.
• An ICC arbitration between a global insurance company and a leading Korean insurance company involving disputes over the non-recovery of reinsurance payment.
• An ICC arbitration between a Korean construction company and a Luxembourg company in a dispute involving a dredging vessel lease.

[Sports Arbitration]

• A Sports arbitration between the Korean Olympic Committee (KOC), Korea Swimming Federation (KSF) and Tae Hawn Park, the gold medalist and world champion swimmer of Korea.

[Disputes Involving Franchise Agreements]

• An ICC arbitration between a Hong Kong company and a Korean company involving disputes over a franchise agreement and a trademark enforcement agreement.
• A KCAB arbitration between a leading Korean food company and a Vietnamese franchisee concerning a breach of a franchise agreement.

[Disputes Involving Product Liability]

• An ICC arbitration between a major Canadian industrial equipment manufacturer and a major Korean automobile company involving product liability waiver disputes.
• A JCAA arbitration between a Japanese System Integration (SI) company and a Korean SI company involving product liability disputes

[Disputes Involving Intellectual Property]

• A KRW 150 billion ICC arbitration between a Chinese company and a leading Korean game company involving disputes over a licensing agreement.
• A KRW 50 billion ICC arbitration between a Korean power company and the world’s largest software company involving disputes over a licensing agreement.
• An ICC arbitration between an Indian electric vehicle manufacturer and a major Korean electric vehicle manufacturer involving disputes over a technology transfer agreement.
• A LCIA arbitration between a Korean pharmaceutical company and a Russian pharmaceutical company involving disputes over a license agreement.

Awards and Recognitions

• 2020
  Selected as ‘Ranked Lawyer : Band 2’ (Dispute Resolution: Arbitration) (Chambers Global)
  Selected as ‘Ranked Lawyer : Band 2’ (Dispute Resolution : Arbitration) (Chambers Asia- Pacific)
  Selected as Litigation Star (International Arbitration Area) (Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific)
  Selected as ‘Leading Individual’ (International Arbitration) (Legal 500 Asia-Pacific)
  Selected as ‘Distinguished practitioner’ (Dispute Resolution) (AsiaLaw)
• 2019
  Selected as ‘Ranked Lawyer: Band 2’ (Dispute Resolution: Arbitration) (Chambers Asia- Pacific)
  Selected as ‘Ranked Lawyer : Band 2’ (Dispute Resolution: Arbitration) (Chambers Global)
  Selected as ‘Leading Individual’ (International Arbitration) (Legal 500 Asia-Pacific)
  Selected as ‘Lawyer of the Year’ (International Arbitration) (Legal Times)
  Selected as Dispute Resolution Star (International Arbitration Area) (Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific)
• 2018
  Selected as Dispute Resolution Star (International Arbitration Area) (Benchmark Litigation Asia Pacific)
  Selected as Top Expert in the World (Guide to the World’s Leading Commercial Arbitration Experts)
  Selected as Top Arbitration Expert in Korea (WHO’S WHO LEGAL)
  Selected as a ‘Leading Lawyer’ by AsiaLaw Dispute Resolution)

Publications / Presentations / ETC

• ‘International Arbitration,’ Pakyoungsa (2016)
• ‘Upon Discussing Revision of Arbitration Act of Korea,’ The Korean Commercial Arbitration Board Magazine (2012) (in Korean Language)
• ‘New York Convention: Perspectives for Broader Adoption and Uniform Interpretation in the Asia-Pacific Region,’ UNCITRAL-MOJ-KCAB Conference, Seoul (2012)
• ‘Arbitration moves to the Asia Pacific,’ IBA 3rd Asia Pacific Regional Forum Conference, Kuala Lumpur (2012)
• Competition Law and Arbitration of Non-competition Covenants: A Comparative Case Study under EU and Korean Law “Procedural Issues (Venue selection, Time & Cost, and Evidence),” VIAC-KCAB Seminar, Seoul (2012)
• ‘Mediation in Arbitral Proceedings (Arb-Med): A Korean View,’ Korean Arbitration Review, Inaugural Edition (2012)
• ‘The Korean Arbitration Act: Overview and Areas of Improvement,’ IBA-UNCITRAL Joint Seminar, Seoul (2012)
• ‘Arbitration in Korea An overview- and insight Crucial tool for cross-border deals,’ Interlaw AP Conference, Seoul (2012)
• ‘Jurisdiction and Powers of the Arbitral Tribunal,’ 2nd International Arbitration Specialist Program, Seoul (2012)
• ‘Korean Practice and Procedure Current Trends and Hot Topics,’ Arbitration in Austria and Korea, KCAB-VIAC Seminar, Seoul (2011)
• ‘Mediation in Arbitral Proceedings: A Korean View,’ 14th Annual IBA International Arbitration Day, Seoul (2011)
• ‘Jurisdiction and Powers of the Arbitral Tribunal,’ 1st International Arbitration Specialist Program, Seoul (2011)
• ‘The International Comparative Legal Guide to: International Arbitration,’ Chapter 13: Korea (2010)
• ‘Asian Arbitration Practices under the Common Law Jurisdiction,’ Asia Pacific Regional Arbitration Group (APRAG) Conference, Seoul (2009)
• ‘Comparative Review of the Rules and Practices of the LCIA and KCAB,’ A symposium hosted by the LCIA Asia Pacific Users’ Council, the KCAB and the KOCIA, Seoul (2008)