
- TEL +82-2-6200-1808
- FAX +82-2-6200-0821
- E-MAIL hjko@jipyong.com
Hyo Jeong Ko is a partner in Jipyong LLC’s M&A Group, specializing in complex corporate transactions and regulatory compliance. She has extensive experience advising domestic and international clients on a broad range of matters, including strategic investments, friendly M&As, cross-border acquisitions, and PEF-led buyouts. Her practice spans the full transaction cycle, from drafting and negotiating key agreements to conducting due diligence, advising on antitrust and labor issues, and supporting post-merger integration (PMI).
In addition to her M&A practice, Ms. Ko is also active in corporate compliance and organizational risk management, with particular expertise in compliance with the Serious Accidents Punishment Act and workplace misconduct prevention. She works with clients to establish and refine internal policies, manage investigation procedures, and implement sustainable compliance and ethics frameworks.
Ms. Ko earned her LL.M. from Harvard Law School, and her J.D. cum laude from Seoul National University School of Law. She holds a B.A. summa cum laude in Political Science and International Relations, Philosophy, and Economics from Seoul National University, and studied abroad at George Washington University during the Fall 2011 semester. She also completed the University of Tokyo Summer School in 2013, and participated in the English for Lawyers Program at American University Washington College of Law in 2019. During law school, she served as an editor for both the SNU Law Review and the SNU Human Rights Law Review.
She passed the New York Bar Exam in July 2023 (certification pending).
Education Close
- 2022-2023Harvard Law School (LL.M.)
- 2021Seoul National University, Graduate School of Law (Ph.D., coursework completed, in Labor law)
- 2016Seoul National University, Graduate School of Law (J.D., cum laude)
- 2013Seoul National University (B.A. in Political Science and International Relations, Philosophy and Economics, summa cum laude)
Experience Close
- 2016-PresentJIPYONG LLC
- 2024Adjunct Assistant Professor, Seoul National University Law School
Notable Achievements Close
- Advised SK Holding on its acquisition of 51% shares of LG Siltron from LG Corp
- Advised Hyundai Mipo Dockyard on sale of its interest in HI Investment & Securities to DGB Financial Group
- Advised SM Entertainment on its acquisition of music label million market
- Advised the creditors including the Korea Development Bank, etc. on the sale of the management rights of KG Dongbu Steel
- Advised SK Trading International and SK Energy on acquisition of Myanmar Petroleum Company
- Advised Korea Development Bank on sale of stake in 90 non-financial firms to UAMCO
- Advised SK Chemical on execution of a business transfer agreement with Hahn & Company for transfer of the bioenergy business
- Advised a group of 11 investors—including Naver, Gafina B.V., Mirae Asset-Naver Asia Growth Fund, and STIC Investments—on their investment in Indonesian grocery delivery platform HappyFresh.
- Provided strategic counsel to SoCar in the acquisition of a platform-based company
- Advised Hanil Holdings on the sale of Hanil Networks to Ubase.
- Advised MUSICOW, the platform for fractional investment in music copyrights, on attracting investment from STIC Investment
- Represented Socius Well to Sea Investment in the sale of Motrol to Doosan Bobcat.
[Compliance]
- Provided compliance consulting on workplace harassment prevention.
- Advised corporate clients on compliance with the Serious Accidents Punishment Act, including internal regulation design, and legal risk mitigation strategies.
Honors and Recognitions Close
- 20141st Prize Winner at 2014 GA-IN Mock Trial Competition(civil law part) sponsored by Korean Supreme Court
- 20121st Prize Winner at 2012 Mock Fair Trade Commission sponsored by Korean Fair Trade Commission
Speaking Engagements and Publications Close
- 20192019 Guidebook on Business in Myanmar, Korea SMEs and Startups Agency
- 2018Study on Plan for Conversion to Good Jobs (joint researcher), Korea Electric Power Corporation
- 2018Research Report on Intellectual Property Laws of Myanmar, Korean Embassy in Myanmar
Bar Admissions & Qualifications Close
- 2016Korea
Languages Close
Korean / English / Japanese