Wonsuk (Steve) Kang

wonsuk.kang@lw.com

+852.2912.2691

Profile

Wonsuk Kang is Chair of Latham’s Korea Practice and helps Korean clients successfully navigate complex cross-border transactions. He draws on more than 15 years of experience advising on major Korea-related matters.

Wonsuk advises globally market-leading Korean companies on strategic corporate transactions and high-stakes disputes. Splitting his time between Hong Kong and Seoul, he maintains a strong on-the-ground presence in Korea. A native Korean speaker, he draws on experience with capital markets and landmark multibillion-dollar mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures in South Korea.

Educated in Korea, the US, and the UK, and qualified in the UK and Hong Kong, Wonsuk brings a global perspective to his work. He pairs a highly analytical, efficient mindset with a complementary passion for assembling global teams of Latham colleagues to best serve Korean clients.

Prior to his legal career, Wonsuk was an award-winning communications and journalism professor at the distinguished Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Experience

Wonsuk’s Korean clients have included:

Hyundai Motor Company
Hyundai Mobis
LG Chem
LG Display
LG Energy Solution
Samsung Asset Management
Samsung Electronics
CJ E&M
CJ Korea Express
CJ Cheiljedang
SK Hynix
Hanwha Solutions
Export-Import Bank of Korea
Mando Corporation
JTBC Studios
The Republic of Korea*
Lotte Shopping*

His transactional work includes advising:

M&A

LG Display on a series of transactions to dispose of its entire interest in LG Display (China) and LG Display (Guangzhou), which manufacture liquid crystal display (LCD) panels and modules in China, as it shifts its focus to organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology. This transaction was awarded M&A Deal of the Year by China Business Law Journal’s Deals of the Year Awards 2024
Hyundai Motor Group in its:
- Acquisition of a controlling stake in Boston Dynamics, an engineering company that specializes in building dynamic robots and software for human simulation, valued at US$1.1 billion
- US$4 billion autonomous driving joint venture with Aptiv, an innovative vehicle technology provider
Hyundai Capital Service and Hyundai Capital Bank Europe GmbH in their acquisition of Sixt Leasing, a Germany-based vehicle leasing and management company
LG Chem in its US$566 million acquisition of AVEO Oncology, a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel cancer therapeutics
JTBC Studios in its acquisition of Wiip Productions, a US-based video content production company
The Carlyle Group in its KRW 2.97 trillion sale of ADT Caps, a South Korea-based provider of advanced security solutions, to SK Telecom and Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets
CJ E&M on its acquisition of the Blue Group, a major media group in Vietnam*
Tesco on the HK$6.5 billion sale of its Korean retail business, Homeplus, to MBK Partners*

Restructuring, Disputes, and Global Investigations

LG Chem on its ITC matter against SK Innovation, a petroleum business company, regarding allegations of misappropriating LG Chem’s trade secrets
LG Display Co., Ltd. along with its customers LG Electronics and Sony Corporation, in a patent infringement lawsuit brought by Solas OLED Ltd., a leading owner and licensor of technology focused on the OLED market
Korea Export Import Bank on its restructuring of Atinum, an energy-focused private investment firm
Hanjin Shipping on its global corporate restructuring*

*Matter handled prior to joining the firm

Qualifications

Bar Qualification

England and Wales (Solicitor)
Hong Kong (Registered Foreign Lawyer)

Education

BA in Jurisprudence, University of Oxford
PhD in Mass Communications, University of Wisconsin-Madison
William F. Vilas Trust Estate Fellow
MA in Mass Communications, University of Wisconsin-Madison
J. William Fulbright Scholar