Land use planning is important for the orderly development of cities and other land areas. Recognizing this, in 2000 the Korean government enacted the Korean Urban Development Act to help promote the planned and systematic development of cities in Korea. That legislation, and its numerous amendments since 2000, along with other legislation related to the use of land in Korea, has created numerous regulatory obstacles for developers and spawned many disputes related to urban and other land development projects. Having a commanding knowledge of the frequently changing development laws and practical experience participating in the regulatory process is critical for success in navigating through the requirements of the Urban Development Act and other land use laws. Dentons Lee (formerly, Lee International law office) has professionals with the knowledge and experience to do just that. They have decades of experience successfully helping our clients, both by providing advice on how to avoid many of the regulatory problems that are frequently encountered when launching development projects in Korea, and in representing our clients when litigation is necessary to resolve the myriad of disputes that can arise in connection with land development projects.

Services

• Legal disputes with respect to the designation of land areas for urban development.
• Legal disputes with respect to development implementation plans.
• Legal disputes with respect to replotting plans.
• Legal disputes with respect to evictions, demolition and ejections following replotting plan approvals.
• Suits to cancel penalties related to the acquisition of farmland.
• Advice on multiple legal issues pertaining to enterprise city development projects.
• Advice on multiple legal issues pertaining to international city development projects.
• Advice on multiple legal issues pertaining to compensation for obstruction of businesses.
• Advice on multiple legal issues pertaining to land expropriation decisions.
• Advice on multiple legal issues pertaining to urban development business activities.

Insights

Elicited a Supreme Court decision that presented a new jurisprudence on the execution of pledges on unlisted shares

December 21, 2021

South Korea: Dentons Lee elicited a Supreme Court decision, quashing an original judgment that invalidated the execution of a stock pledge against unlisted shares upon valuating the per-share value at 0 won under the Inheritance Tax and Gift Tax Act, resulting in recognition of the validity of the stock acquisition in its effect.

News and Events

Recent Press Releases

Former Chief Judge Peter Seung-hun Lee joined Dentons Lee

March 22, 2024

Dentons Lee has recently recruited Peter Seung-hun Lee, former chief judge of Cheongju District Court, to strengthen its expertise in public litigation, international trade litigation/arbitration, as well as civil/criminal and family law.

DL E&C submits proposal for Urban Development Zone Designation in Osan Sema District

November 2, 2023

DL E&C has entrusted Dentons Lee with legal advisory and related litigation services since 2020, specifically in connection with the Osan Sema District 1st Urban Development Project, a pivotal long-term construction project (the “Project”).