Business · Companies · 2 days ago
Law firm chief warns prolonged corporate investigations can act as punishment
Lee Jun-ki, head of South Korean law firm Bae, Kim & Lee, says companies can be harmed by lengthy investigations even before a case reaches court.
He raised concerns about cases referred by the Fair Trade Commission, including allegations of collusion or unfair business support.
South Korea is separating the powers to investigate and prosecute, and Lee says cases could stall if investigators and prosecutors do not coordinate from the start.
He also says the rules for giving criminal leniency to companies or people who report wrongdoing need to be clarified.
Lee argues that companies should prevent competition and technology-related violations rather than focus only on defending themselves after a case begins.
He says technology protection must cover contracts, business deals and employees, not just security departments.
He recommends clearer rules and early coordination between the agencies involved, but no specific government decision or timetable is given.
Lee Jun-ki, managing partner of law firm Bae, Kim & Lee, said prolonged investigations can themselves punish companies.
He called for early coordination between the planned Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and Prosecution Service, particularly in cases referred by the Fair Trade Commission.
Lee said the legal basis and decision-making authority for criminal leniency in cartel cases remain unclear after investigative and prosecutorial powers were separated.
He said companies should prevent technology leaks by managing key technology, people and contracts before problems arise, rather than relying only on security departments and criminal proceedings.
Lee said generative AI is narrowing the information gap between clients and law firms, making expert judgment and execution more important.
- Who
- Lee Jun-ki, managing partner of Bae, Kim & Lee
- What
- He discussed changes to corporate investigations, criminal leniency, technology protection and the effect of AI on legal work.
- When
- Interviewed on September 29; published October 10, 2026
- Where
- Bae, Kim & Lee's office in Seoul, South Korea
- Why
- To discuss challenges for companies and law firms as South Korea's criminal justice system changes and AI reshapes legal work.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
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- Interviewee
- Lee Jun-ki, 60, managing partner of Bae, Kim & Lee
- Interview date
- September 29, 2026
- Publication date
- October 10, 2026
- Key institutions discussed
- The planned Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and Prosecution Service
- Leniency issue
- The article says it remains unclear who will have authority to grant criminal leniency after investigative and prosecutorial powers are separated.
Sources
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