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Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Perpetual Futures Regulation: Reviewing Referral Activities for Overseas Exchanges
Based on the Financial Services Commission’s October 16 warning on perpetual futures, this article summarizes high-leverage risks, limitations on investor protection, and legal review points for referral-code…
Legal InsightsInternational Contracts
Sales Agency and Distribution Agreements in Japan: Exclusivity, Minimum Purchases, and Termination
When a Japanese distributor sends an agreement offering to act as your exclusive distributor in Japan, it is easy to begin negotiations with exclusivity and commissions. However, it is also important to…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Personal Data Transfers to the UK: Equivalence Review and Preparations for Businesses
The Personal Information Protection Commission announced that it would begin reviewing recognition of the equivalence of the UK’s personal data protection framework in October 2026. The commencement of a…
Legal InsightsBusiness
Violation of the Foreign Trade Act: Legal Standards and Response Strategies for Circumventing Russia Export Controls Through Used-Car Exports
1. When Does Exporting Used Cars to Russia Become a Legal Issue? Not all exports of used vehicles to Russia are prohibited. However, a significant number of vehicles are currently subject to situation-specific…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Crypto Transfers to Self-Hosted Wallets: What Changes Under Korea’s Travel Rule in 2027?
Transfers from a Korean crypto exchange to a self-hosted wallet (personal wallet) such as MetaMask are not currently treated in the same way as Travel Rule transfers between virtual asset service providers…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Japan’s Crypto-Asset Service Intermediary Business: Differences from Crypto-Asset Exchange Services and Key Regulatory Standards
Japan introduced the Electronic Payment Instruments and Crypto-Asset Service Intermediary Business framework on June 1, 2026. Under this framework, a business that intermediates the purchase and sale or…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Crypto Market Making in Korea: Legal Risks for Token Projects and Market Makers
Crypto market making is not automatically considered market manipulation under Korean law. However, the legal analysis does not stop at whether an agreement is labeled as a “market making” or “liquidity…
Legal InsightsCompany Formation
Domestic Representative Requirement for Overseas Businesses: Standards and Preparation under Korea’s Personal Information Protection Act
Even if a company does not have a separate legal entity in Korea and directly provides SaaS, platform, e-commerce, AI, or other services from overseas, Korea’s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) may…
Legal InsightsInvestment & M&A
Korea VASP Major Shareholder Changes: 30-Day Prior Reporting Requirement
Foreign investors acquiring shares in a Korean virtual asset service provider (“VASP”) should now consider regulatory reporting requirements before determining the closing date of the transaction. Under the…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Unregistered Virtual Asset Service Providers in Korea: Registration Requirements and Penalties
Frequent trading of virtual assets does not, by itself, mean that you are required to register as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in Korea. However, if you repeatedly buy, sell, exchange, transfer,…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Virtual Asset Hawala and Violations of Korea’s Foreign Exchange Transactions Act: Key Legal Standards
Not every domestic or cross-border transaction involving virtual assets such as USDT constitutes a violation of Korea’s Foreign Exchange Transactions Act. However, where a person repeatedly and continuously…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Expansion of Japan’s Travel Rule Jurisdictions: Key Compliance Points for Korean Companies
As the scope of Japan’s Travel Rule has expanded from 58 to 63 jurisdictions, Korean companies conducting business with the Japanese market may need to broaden the scope of their compliance reviews.…
Legal InsightsCompany Formation
Establishing a Panama Company and Preparing for Crypto Exchange KYB
Why Crypto Exchanges Require a Panama Entity Global crypto exchanges offer different service scopes depending on the jurisdiction and type of legal entity involved. As a result, more Korean companies are being…
Legal InsightsBusiness
EU AI Act Article 50 Transparency Obligations and How Korean Companies Should Respond
Korean companies are increasingly using generative AI to create advertising images and promotional videos, or publishing AI-generated text on their websites. For content targeting the EU market, simply adding…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Responsibilities and Data Management in Operating AI Agent Services in Singapore
AI agents go beyond simply answering user questions. They can plan tasks to achieve specific goals, access external data and systems, and perform actual actions on behalf of users. For example, an AI agent may…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Vietnam Personal Data Protection Law A to Z: Scope, Impact Assessments, and Penalties
Vietnam’s Personal Data Protection Law took effect on January 1, 2026. As a result, not only Vietnamese entities but also foreign companies that process information relating to Vietnamese customers or…
Legal InsightsInternational Contracts
Hong Kong Stablecoin Business: Licensing Framework and Market Entry Options
Hong Kong’s Stablecoins Ordinance came into effect in August 2025, and the first licences were issued in April 2026. As a result, Hong Kong’s stablecoin regulatory regime has moved beyond the policy-design…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Japan’s Cross-Border Collection Agency Regulations: 5 Key Issues Fintech Companies Should Review
Can Existing Payment Structures Continue to Be Used in Japan? Korean e-commerce companies and platform operators often use local payment agents or collection agencies in Japan to collect payments made by…
Legal InsightsInternational Contracts
Singapore DTSP Licence: Key Regulatory Requirements for Overseas-Facing Digital Token Businesses
Some Korean digital asset companies assume that once they establish a Singapore entity and provide services only to overseas customers, they will fall outside Singapore’s regulatory framework. However, the…
Legal InsightsInternational Contracts
Entering Vietnam’s Distribution Market: Key Legal Requirements for Business Licenses and Franchise Registration
As more Korean companies in the distribution, F&B, and cosmetics sectors expand into Vietnam, there is also growing interest in operating directly owned stores or entering the market through a franchise model.…
Legal InsightsBusiness
Singapore EntrePass: Key Requirements to Review Before Applying
Establishing a company in Singapore does not automatically qualify a founder for an EntrePass. Applicants should first assess whether the business demonstrates sufficient innovation and growth potential. 1.…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Generative AI and Personal Data: What Businesses Should Check Before Uploading Customer Information or Contracts
Businesses are increasingly using generative AI to review contracts, summarize meetings, respond to customer inquiries, and draft documents. However, when contracts or other materials entered into an AI…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Korea’s AI Basic Act Six Months On: Disclosure and Labeling Duties for Generative AI Businesses
Korea’s AI Basic Act took effect on January 22, 2026. Under the Act, businesses that provide generative AI products or services are subject to transparency obligations. Compliance, however, does not end with…
Legal InsightsInternational Contracts
Hiring Employees in Japan: Employment Contract Review and 5 Key Labor Law Risks
Labor Law Risks Should Be Reviewed at the Hiring Stage After Establishing a Japanese Entity Once a Japanese entity has been established and the company begins hiring local employees, it should review the…
Legal InsightsCompany Formation
Tax Filing After Establishing a Philippine Corporation: Corporate Income Tax, VAT, and Withholding Tax Obligations
Tax Compliance Should Be Reviewed Immediately After Incorporation Once a Philippine corporation has been established, tax filing obligations begin together with registration with the Bureau of Internal Revenue…
Legal InsightsBusiness
German Employment Law: Dismissal Procedures Korean Companies Should Know
When Operating a German Entity, Dismissal Procedures Must Be Reviewed from the Outset When dismissing an employee in Germany, employers must review not only the grounds for termination, but also the form of…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Crypto Referral Liability in Korea: Why the FSC Issued a Warning on Unregistered Virtual Asset Service Providers
Sharing overseas crypto exchange referral links on YouTube, Telegram, or open chat rooms may seem like simple advertising. However, in its press release dated June 24, 2026, the Financial Services Commission…
Legal InsightsInvestment & M&A
Criminal Liability of Managers and Chat Operators in Cambodia-Based Stock Investment Scam Organizations
Expansion of Overseas Stock Investment Scam Organizations Organized stock investment fraud operations based in Southeast Asia, particularly Cambodia, have increasingly targeted victims in Korea. These…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
EU Packaging Regulation PPWR: Checklist Before the August 2026 Application Date
From August 12, 2026, the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR, Regulation (EU) 2025/40) will begin to apply generally across the European Union. The PPWR applies to packaging and packaging waste…
Legal InsightsCompany Formation
Establishing a Company in Japan and Obtaining a Business Manager Visa: Process and Key Requirements
Company Formation and Visa Planning Should Be Reviewed Together One of the most common questions Korean companies ask when preparing to enter Japan is whether they should establish the company first or apply…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Overseas Futures Trading Lawyer: What You Need to Know Before an Investigation Begins
Why Domestic Promotion of Overseas Futures and FX Margin Trading Can Be Problematic Trading overseas futures or FX margin products is not, in itself, completely prohibited under Korean law. The issue arises…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Entering the German Food Market: Key Regulations Korean Companies Must Review
Regulatory Review Comes First in the German Food Market As European consumer interest in K-Food continues to grow, an increasing number of Korean companies are considering entry into Germany across categories…
Legal InsightsBusiness
6 Key Legal Issues Korean Fashion and Apparel Brands Should Review Before Entering Germany
Entering the German Market Requires More Than Just a Distribution Agreement As European consumer interest in Korean fashion continues to grow, an increasing number of independent designer brands and…
Legal InsightsCompany Formation
Establishing a Company in the Philippines: Key Procedures and Required Documents
The Philippines continues to attract Korean companies as a Southeast Asian business hub, supported by a domestic market of more than 100 million people, widespread use of English, and continued growth in…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Criminal Risks for MetaTrader-Based Overseas Futures Signal and Copy Trading Operators in Korea
Growing Scrutiny of MetaTrader-Based Overseas Futures Signal Businesses MetaTrader 4 and 5 are trading platforms commonly used for overseas futures, FX trading, and CFDs, or contracts for difference. The…
Legal InsightsInternational Contracts
Key Legal Issues to Review Before Entering into a German Distribution Agreement
Choosing the Right Distribution Structure Determines the Risk An increasing number of Korean companies are entering into distribution agreements with German distributors as part of their European market-entry…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
EU AI Regulation: What Korean Companies Need to Prepare for — Risk Classification and Implementation Timeline
What Is the EU AI Act? The EU Artificial Intelligence Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) entered into force in August 2024 and is the world's first comprehensive regulatory framework dedicated specifically to…
Legal InsightsCompany Formation
Establishing a Korean Branch of a Singapore Company: 5 Key Steps
How a Singapore Company Can Establish a Presence in Korea An increasing number of startups are establishing their headquarters in Singapore to attract global investment while conducting substantial business…
Legal InsightsBusiness
Entering the German E-Commerce Market: Legal Differences Between Marketplaces and D2C Stores
Structure of the German Online Retail Market Germany's online retail market can broadly be divided into marketplace sales and direct-to-consumer (D2C) operations. According to forecasts by the German…
Legal InsightsBusiness
German GmbH Bank Accounts: Common Practical Issues for Korean Companies
Key Reasons Why Opening a German Corporate Bank Account Can Be Delayed Opening a corporate bank account in Germany typically takes two to four months. The main reason is the highly stringent compliance review…
Legal InsightsBusiness
False Naver Blog Posts Targeting Your Business in Korea: How to Request Removal
When Online Defamation Affects Your Business in Korea In South Korea, Naver remains one of the most influential online platforms for search, blogs, and reputation management. For businesses operating in Korea,…
Legal InsightsBusiness
Korean Startup Flip to the U.S.: Structure, Process, Cost, and Timing
What Is a Flip? A Flip is a corporate restructuring in which a newly established U.S. company becomes the parent company, while the existing Korean company is converted into its operating subsidiary. This is…
Legal InsightsInternational Contracts
U.S. VC Investment Agreements: Key Term Sheet Provisions to Review
Legal Nature and Practical Significance of a Term Sheet In U.S. venture capital transactions, a Term Sheet is a document that summarizes the key investment terms agreed between the parties before execution of…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
German Market Entry for Crypto Companies: MiCA Reverse Solicitation Risks
Growing Interest in the German Market After MiCA and Emerging Practical Issues Since the full implementation of MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) at the end of 2024, an increasing number of Korean…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Involved in a USDT Exchange Transaction in Korea?
Legal Risks of Crypto OTC Transactions, Money Laundering Allegations, and Accomplice Liability Some individuals become involved in USDT (Tether) exchange transactions in Korea believing they are simply helping…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
K-Beauty Expansion into Germany and the EU: From CPNP Registration to Advertising Compliance
Entering Germany Means Preparing for the EU Market Germany is an attractive market for K-beauty brands, but having a market-ready product is not enough to begin sales immediately. Germany operates within the…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Foreign Exchange Transactions Act Investigations in Korea: What to Do If You Are Linked to Crypto-Based Illegal Remittance or OTC Currency Exchange
Many people become involved in foreign exchange investigations without realizing the legal risks in advance. What began as a simple request to exchange money, send funds overseas, or trade USDT through a…
Legal InsightsBusiness
AI Crypto Scam: What to Do If You Cannot Withdraw Your Funds
As interest in artificial intelligence continues to grow, crypto scammers are increasingly using “AI-powered investment platforms” and “AI trading systems” to attract investors. These scams often appear…
Legal InsightsInvestment & M&A
German Co-Founder Equity and Reverse Vesting: Why Early Structuring Matters
When establishing a startup in Germany, co-founder equity is not simply a matter of deciding ownership percentages. It is a core governance issue that affects the founders' respective roles, long-term…
Legal InsightsBusiness
AI Investment Scams in Korea: Common Tactics and What Victims Should Do
If phrases like “AI-powered trading,” “AI stock recommendations,” or “AI-managed investment platforms” sound trustworthy, that is exactly what scammers are relying on. Recently, investment fraud schemes using…
Legal InsightsInvestment & M&A
M&A Legal Due Diligence Costs and Scope in Korea: A Practical Guide
The cost of M&A legal due diligence is not simply a lawyer’s fee. It depends on the size of the transaction, the complexity of the target company, and the scope of the review itself. For foreign companies and…
Legal InsightsBusiness
Germany Startup Visa: A Residence Permit Guide for Founders
Germany does not have a single visa category officially called a "startup visa." In practice, the term is commonly used to refer to the residence permit for self-employment under Section 21 of the German…
Legal InsightsBusiness
Crypto Romance Scams in Korea: Fake Exchanges and Investment Fraud You Should Watch Out For
If someone you met through social media suddenly encourages you to invest in cryptocurrency through a private platform or “exclusive opportunity,” there is a high chance it could be a romance scam. In recent…
Legal InsightsCompany Formation
Establishing an IT or Service Company in Ho Chi Minh City: Five Key Strategies for Capitalization and Market Entry
For Korean startups considering Ho Chi Minh City as a development hub, it is important to design the overall structure from the outset — including business line classification, capitalization, investment…
Legal InsightsInternational Contracts
B2B SaaS in Germany: Key Contract and GDPR Considerations
In German B2B SaaS transactions, the review conducted by a company’s Data Protection Officer (DPO) can often have a greater impact on whether a deal moves forward than the procurement process itself. Germany…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Criminal Liability for Crypto OTC Transactions in Korea: Proceeds of Crime Concealment & Defense Strategy
“I just sold crypto and received cash.” In practice, this explanation is no longer sufficient to avoid criminal liability in Korea. According to data released by the Korea Customs Service and the Financial…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Front-Running in Korean Stocks: Where Does It Become Illegal? (A Complete Guide for Foreign Investors, Listed Company Executives, and Finance Professionals in Korea)
If you've been investing in Korean stocks, or working in Korea's financial industry, you've probably heard the term "front-running" (선행매매) come up more and more lately. It's not just an issue for stock…
Legal InsightsCompany Formation
Setting Up an SPC in Korea as a Foreign Investor — What You Need to Know
■ Why Are More Foreign Investors Using SPCs in Korea? As global capital continues to flow into Korean real estate, infrastructure, digital assets, and private equity, the use of Special Purpose Companies…
Legal InsightsBusiness
Litigation for the Payment of Goods: Reclaiming What Your Business is Owed
Doing business in a foreign country comes with its own set of challenges, and one of the most frustrating is dealing with clients who refuse to pay for goods already delivered. If your business partner in…
Legal InsightsCompany Formation
Setting Up a Company in Dubai: Mainland, Freezone, and Tax Structure Explained
Inquiries about setting up a company in Dubai have increased noticeably in 2026. The ability for foreigners to hold 100% ownership, a relatively streamlined incorporation process, and a wide range of Free Zone…
Legal InsightsBusiness
Inheriting Crypto from Binance and Other Overseas Exchanges: What Heirs Need to Know
If a family member passed away while using overseas exchanges such as Binance, Bybit, or KuCoin, the cryptocurrency remaining in their accounts is part of their estate. Unlike a domestic bank account, however,…
Legal InsightsBusiness
Illegal Employment of Foreign Nationals: The One Thing You Must Do to Avoid Serious Penalties
Crackdowns on Illegal Employment of Foreign Nationals Are Not Mere Administrative Issues Many people mistakenly believe that crackdowns on the illegal employment of foreign nationals are simply administrative…
Legal InsightsBusiness
How Foreign Workers Can Receive Severance Pay and Strategic response
Can Foreign Workers Receive Severance Pay? Retirement benefits are governed by Article 8(1) of the Act on the Guarantee of Employees’ Retirement Benefits. The Supreme Court has held that foreign workers are…
Legal InsightsBusiness
If You’re Curious About Debt Relief and Repayment Options for Crypto Loans, Read This Carefully
Why Crypto Loans Become Problematic in Rehabilitation and Bankruptcy Proceedings Crypto loans differ fundamentally from conventional personal loans or private lending, as the form of collateral and transaction…
Legal InsightsBusiness
China’s Export Controls on Japan, Three Critical Risks Korean Companies Must Address
At the beginning of 2026, a major shift in the global supply chain landscape has emerged. On January 6, 2026, the Chinese government announced sweeping export control measures targeting Japan, citing national…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Crypto Referral Marketing: Illegal Promotion Risks
Regulatory Boundaries Under Close Scrutiny by Financial Authorities Crypto referral marketing is not always assessed as mere “simple promotion.” Crypto referral activities are often perceived as nothing more…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Promoting Bybit Coin Referrals Is Now Risky — Illegality Concerns Are Real
1. Why Coin Referrals Are Becoming a Serious Legal Issue In recent virtual asset–related investigations, referral structures such as Bybit coin referrals have been repeatedly scrutinized. This trend stems from…
Legal InsightsBusiness
Recovery Strategies Every Blockchain Scam Victim Must Know
Why Blockchain Scams Cause Such Severe Damage Unlike conventional financial fraud, blockchain scams are rooted in the abuse of technological characteristics. Due to the inherent nature of blockchain…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Korea’s AI Basic Act: Key Compliance Checkpoints for AI Businesses
The public notice period for the Enforcement Decree of the “Framework Act on the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence and Establishment of Trust” (hereinafter the 'AI Basic Act') concluded on December 22,…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Crypto Referral Controversy: How Korea’s Financial Authorities Define Unregistered Business Activities
1. Key Points from the Financial Services Commission (FSC) [Promotion and Intermediation of Unregistered Virtual Asset Service Providers Also Subject to Regulation] Under the Act on Reporting and Using…
Legal InsightsBusiness
Criminal Defense for Foreign Nationals in Korea
Integrated Expertise in Investigation, Trial, and Immigration Consequences 1. Unique Challenges in Criminal Cases Involving Foreign Nationals When a foreign national becomes involved in a criminal case in…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
Tax Obligations for Domestic Virtual Asset Trading
Currently, there is no explicit legal basis for taxing income from virtual asset trading under the current tax laws in South Korea. As a result, no taxation is imposed. Courts have also weighed in on this…
Legal InsightsFinance & Regulation
The Need to Allow Virtual Asset Trading for Corporations and Foreigners
Current Situation of Virtual Asset Trading in Korea In Korea, virtual asset trading requires the use of real-name accounts linked to banks, following Know Your Customer (KYC) verification. Customers must…