Lee & Ko’s Capital Markets Practice Group is known for its unmatched performance in the initial public offering (IPO) market. The group has set new market trends by participating in (a) the first domestic listings of foreign companies on the KRX KOSPI Market and the KRX KOSDAQ Market, (b) the first initial public offering with an overseas tranche by a Korean company, and (c) the first initial public offering of a Korean life insurance company. The Group has advised three out of seven China-based companies currently listed in Korea. Recently, the Group has assisted a number of Korean life insurance companies in the preparation of preliminary application procedures in anticipation of carrying out IPOs and securities registration statement. Lee & Ko’s Capital Markets Practice Group provides legal advice and assistance on all aspects of the IPO and listing process, such as: (i) evaluating the legality of proposed listing structure, (ii) ensuring compliance with listing requirements, (iii) amending constitutional documents of the listing company, (iv) preparing preliminary review applications materials, (v) preparing registration statements, and (vi) preparing other requisite documentation, such as subscription agreements, purchase agreements and deposit agreements, etc.

Major Cases

The first NASDAQ listing by a Korean company (Thrunet)
The first concurrent domestic and overseas dual-listing by a Korean company (Lotte Shopping)
The first concurrent domestic and overseas cross global depositary receipts offering by a Korean company (Hynix Semiconductor)
The first significant issuance of redeemable convertible preferred shares by a Koran company (LG Electronics)
The first IPO by a Korean life insurance company (Tong Yang Life Insurance)
The first domestic listing of a foreign company’s shares on the KRX KOSPI Market (United Technology Holding Limited, a China-based, Hong Kong-listed company)
The first domestic listing of a foreign company’s depository receipts on the KRX KOSPI Market (Huafeng Textile International Group Limited)
The first domestic listing of a Hong Kong company on the KRX KOSDAQ Market (Chinese Food Packaging Limited)
Domestic listing of many Korean companies (LG Powercom, Celltrion, Seoul Auction)