Attorney Profile
Donghyeon Kim — Korean Foreign Investment & Corporate Lawyer
Donghyeon Kim is a Korean corporate attorney and Managing Attorney of SMA Lawfirm. His practice focuses on foreign direct investment (FDI) in Korea, Korean company formation, foreign-invested companies, cross-border corporate transactions, corporate governance and regulatory matters for foreign investors entering or operating in South Korea.
He advises founders, multinational subsidiaries, venture-backed companies, investors and overseas counsel on the legal steps required to establish and run a Korean business: entity selection, foreign investment reporting, company registration, corporate banking, shareholder and governance documents, employment setup, immigration and continuing regulatory compliance.
Foreign Investor Experience
SMA Lawfirm has advised 200+ foreign companies and investors in Korea. The firm's cross-border work includes clients and parent companies from Singapore, Europe, the United States, China, Japan, Taiwan, India, Cambodia and other jurisdictions. That experience matters because Korea market entry is rarely just one filing: the investment route, bank account, tax registration, visa plan, corporate documents and practical communication with Korean authorities all need to move together.
Credentials & Professional Background
- Managing Attorney, SMA Lawfirm
- Former Attorney, Kim & Chang
- Former Attorney, Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea
- Former Public Prosecutors' Office experience
- Listed by KOTRA Invest KOREA for Foreign Investment and Corporate Establishment
- Advised 200+ foreign companies and investors in Korea
Focus Areas
- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Korea
- Korean Company Formation
- Foreign-Invested Companies
- Cross-Border Corporate Transactions
- Corporate Governance and Regulatory Matters
- D-8 investor visas and business immigration coordination
External Profiles
The practical goal is simple: help foreign investors understand what Korea requires, avoid sequencing mistakes, and complete the legal setup in a way that works for the business after incorporation.