Maintaining a Presale Agreement by Establishing the Substance of Support for an Elderly Parent Under the Special-Supply Program1. Facts and Background A was selected under the special-supply program for applicants supporting elderly parents and paid the deposit and part of the interim payments. A's eligibility was later challenged on the ground that the support requirement had not been satisfied. A retained LK Partners LLC to assess the effects on subscription eligibility, potential criminal liability, and contractual status, and to organize the necessary evidence and procedures. 2. Key Legal Issues First, it was necessary to determine whether genuine support could be recognized even if the household composition formally appeared compliant. Second, the evidence capable of proving the actual support had to be identified. Third, the proper eligibility reference date had to be determined. Because the relevant circumstances may differ depending on whether the date is the resident-recruitment announcement, the application date, or the contract date, the applicable date must be confirmed first. 3. Work Performed and Outcome LK Partners LLC (i) secured medical and care records showing the need for support; (ii) organized evidence of living-expense payments, the actual care provided, and the frequency of visits; (iii) reconstructed changes in household composition chronologically; and (iv) prepared and submitted a written opinion based on the evidence. The substantive support relationship was recognized, A was found to satisfy the eligibility requirements, and the presale agreement remained in force. This case demonstrates that criminal proceedings and contractual-status issues may proceed separately in disputes involving improper housing subscriptions; facts and living or financial records should therefore be organized chronologically for each track. In many cases, the sufficiency and consistency of evidence showing the actual support relationship are more important than formal household structure alone.

Preserving Purchaser Status While Responding to an Investigation of a Suspected Sham Change of Residence and Possible Cancellation of the Supply Agreement1. Facts and Background A won a housing subscription and entered into a presale agreement, but investigators contacted A regarding a suspected Housing Act violation arising from the circumstances of A's change of address. A retained LK Partners LLC to assess the effects on subscription eligibility, potential criminal liability, and status under the presale agreement, and to organize the necessary evidence and response procedures. 2. Key Legal Issues First, it was necessary to determine whether A had actually resided at the new address. Second, the relationship between the eligibility reference date and A's actual living arrangements had to be assessed. Third, A had to prepare for possible cancellation of the supply agreement under Article 65(2) of the Housing Act, which may proceed separately from the criminal process. Because a criminal disposition such as no charge does not bind the contractual cancellation decision, the two tracks should be prepared separately from the outset. 3. Work Performed and Outcome LK Partners LLC (i) organized chronologically medical records, card use, utility payments, workplace changes, witness statements, and other evidence of A's living arrangements at the time of the move; (ii) prepared A's investigative statement by comparing it against the evidence; (iii) obtained the investigation referral and related records through an information-disclosure request to identify the disputed facts; and (iv) prepared evidence addressing a possible contract-cancellation notice in parallel with the criminal response. No criminal suspicion was established, relieving A of criminal exposure. The same body of evidence was then used to respond to the subsequent cancellation notice, preserving A's purchaser status. This case demonstrates that the criminal process and contractual status may proceed separately in disputes involving improper housing subscriptions; facts and living or financial records should therefore be organized chronologically for each track. Continuity in the records showing actual residence can determine the outcome.

Resolving a Model-Home Contract After Reviewing the Statutory Right of Withdrawal1. Facts and Background After receiving an advertising message and making contact, A visited a model home as instructed and entered into an agreement there. A later sought to withdraw. A retained LK Partners LLC to assess the burdens of maintaining the contractual relationship and the legal and negotiated options for ending it. 2. Key Legal Issues First, it was necessary to determine whether the withdrawal provisions of Article 8 of the Act on Door-to-Door Sales, Etc. applied. Second, A's status as a consumer under that Act had to be examined, because a contract made for investment purposes may present a disputed consumer-status issue. Third, if the Act applied, the commencement of the withdrawal period had to be determined: generally 14 days from receipt of the written agreement, or, where the agreement omitted required withdrawal information, 14 days from the date A knew or could have known that withdrawal was available. Fourth, the method of communicating withdrawal had to minimize later disputes. 3. Work Performed and Outcome LK Partners LLC (i) fixed the timeline from receipt of the advertisement through the visit, contracting, and payment; (ii) confirmed when the contract document was delivered and whether withdrawal information was provided; (iii) clearly communicated the withdrawal by content-certified mail and demanded return of all payments; and (iv) prepared cancellation and rescission/termination claims in the alternative. The withdrawal was recognized, the agreement was treated as never having taken effect, and all payments were returned. This case demonstrates the need to coordinate the formation history, contract language, performance stage, and evidence. The key issues are whether the statutory withdrawal regime applies and when the period began. Because the period is case-specific, the intention to withdraw should be recorded in writing without delay.

Mutual Rescission or Termination Following a Request to End the Agreement Shortly After Contracting1. Facts and Background Within several days after signing the agreement and paying the deposit, A concluded that maintaining the agreement would be difficult and requested rescission or termination. The project owner responded that the deposit could not be returned. A retained LK Partners LLC to assess the burdens of continuing the relationship and the legal and negotiated options for ending it. 2. Key Legal Issues First, it was necessary to determine whether a forfeiture clause for the deposit could be applied unchanged at the very early stage immediately after contract formation. Second, if the forfeiture clause constituted liquidated damages, its proportionality to the actual loss and the possibility of reduction under Article 398(2) of the Korean Civil Act had to be assessed. Third, the scope of any return upon mutual rescission or termination had to be determined. 3. Work Performed and Outcome LK Partners LLC (i) identified the exact time when A expressed the intention to end the agreement and the stage reached in performance; (ii) examined whether resale of the unit or subsequent procedures had actually been impaired; (iii) sent a content-certified notice specifying the asserted grounds and the amount to be returned, with a response deadline; and (iv) first explored resolution at the negotiation stage. The forfeiture claim was not accepted, the parties reached mutual rescission or termination, and A recovered the deposit. This case demonstrates the importance of reviewing the entire formation and performance context. The return amount depends on the precise wording of the forfeiture clause and whether resale of the unit was materially impeded. Early-stage cases may offer broader settlement possibilities, although each case is fact-specific.

Rescission or Termination After Reviewing a Sales Employee's Advance Payment of Part of the Deposit1. Facts and Background A paid only part of the cash available at the site. A sales employee transferred the remainder of the deposit on A's behalf, and A repaid that amount after returning home. A retained LK Partners LLC to assess the burdens of maintaining the contractual relationship and the legal and negotiated options for ending it. 2. Key Legal Issues First, the issue was whether the circumstances in which the employee's payment induced formation could constitute a defect in the contracting process, such as fraud or mistake. Second, the significance of circumstances such as accompanying A to a bank to withdraw cash had to be evaluated. Third, it was necessary to identify the evidence capable of proving the advance payment. 3. Work Performed and Outcome LK Partners LLC (i) secured messages requesting the advance payment, transfer records, and the remitter's name; (ii) organized the timeline from the visit through payment and the refund request; (iii) sent a content-certified notice identifying defects in the contracting process, including fraud or mistake, and demanding return of the deposit; and (iv) prepared the next response in case negotiations failed. The advance-payment circumstances were accepted as a defect in the contracting process, the agreement was rescinded or terminated, and A recovered the full deposit. This case demonstrates the need to review contract formation, contract language, performance, and evidence together. In practice, the existence of evidence proving the advance payment can determine the outcome. Records of the payment should therefore be preserved.

Rescission or Termination After the Original Agreement Was Not Delivered and Its Terms Differed from the Prior Explanation1. Facts and Background A signed documents at the contracting site but received only a custody confirmation rather than the original agreement. A was later unable to obtain even a copy when attempting to verify the terms. A retained LK Partners LLC to assess the burdens of maintaining the relationship and the available legal and negotiated options for ending it. 2. Key Legal Issues First, the issue was whether failure to deliver the original agreement affected the agreement's validity. Because the agreement is generally consensual and is formed by agreement of the parties, nondelivery alone does not ordinarily invalidate it. Second, the allocation of the burden of proof in a dispute over the terms had to be considered. Third, A's right to demand delivery and the legal significance of continued nondelivery had to be assessed. 3. Work Performed and Outcome LK Partners LLC (i) first secured the custody confirmation, receipts, messages, and other materials showing the existence and content of the agreement; (ii) demanded delivery of a copy in writing and set a response deadline; (iii) compared the delivered agreement with the representations made on site; and (iv) determined the direction of any cancellation or rescission/termination claim only after reviewing the original. The original agreement revealed provisions inconsistent with the prior explanation. Based on those differences, the agreement was rescinded or terminated and the payments already made were returned. This case shows the importance of reviewing contract formation, contract language, performance, and evidence together. The outcome turns on whether an actual discrepancy exists and whether it materially affects the contractual purpose. It is safer not to reach a conclusion before securing the original agreement.

Mutual Rescission of a Supply Agreement After Reviewing the Discrepancy Between Loan Representations and the Actual Outstanding Debt1. Facts and Background A entered into a supply agreement after a sales agent explained that both the interim payments and the balance could be financed, that the interim-payment loan would be interest-free, and that A would therefore need to prepare only the initial deposit to acquire the apartment. When repayment of the interim-payment loan was later demanded, A learned that debt of several hundred million won remained outstanding. A retained LK Partners LLC to assess both the burdens of maintaining the contractual relationship and the legal and negotiated options for bringing it to an end. 2. Key Legal Issues First, the issue was the size of the gap between the funds said to be required at the time of contracting and the total amount A was actually required to bear, and whether that gap was material to A's decision to contract. Second, it was necessary to determine whether the statements were merely sales solicitations or could support avoidance of the agreement on the ground of mistake or fraud. Third, the relative practical benefits of pursuing cancellation or rescission/termination, as opposed to resolving the matter by mutual rescission/termination, had to be compared. 3. Work Performed and Outcome LK Partners LLC (i) reviewed the supply agreement, balcony-extension and paid-option agreements, and interim-payment loan documents together to determine the outstanding debt and payment schedule; (ii) organized, by date, the materials supporting the representations made at contract formation, including consultation notes, messages, brochures, and the representative's business card; (iii) secured a comprehensive scope of authority covering withdrawal, cancellation, rescission/termination, restitution, and settlement negotiations; and (iv) where the interim-payment loan had been disbursed, sent notice jointly to the developer and the lending institution. The supply agreement was ultimately rescinded by mutual agreement. A was released from the contractual relationship, and the remaining interim-payment and balance obligations were resolved at the same time. This case demonstrates the need to design the response sequence by reviewing the circumstances of contract formation, the contract language, the stage of performance, and the available evidence together. The available range of settlement depends on whether evidence of the original representations remains and whether resale of the unit is realistically possible. The more specifically the discrepancy between the representations and reality can be identified, the more clearly the appropriate response can be determined. 

1. Facts and Background While Client A (the plaintiff) was temporarily separated from the spouse, A came to learn that the spouse had been engaged in an extramarital relationship with a workplace colleague, B (the defendant). Although Client A reconciled with the spouse to restore the family, A subsequently identified circumstances showing that the relationship between the spouse and B continued thereafter; the marriage was ultimately not restored and ended in divorce. Client A retained LKP to bring a damages claim against B. 2. Key Legal Issues The main issues were: (i) how to construct, on a lawful basis, supplementary evidence (such as vehicle dashcam audio recordings) where the materials originally held by Client A were not sufficient to establish the conduct objectively; (ii) how to rebut B's likely defense that the marriage had already broken down at the relevant time, using objective facts such as the parties' actual reconciliation efforts and the withdrawal of an earlier application for divorce by mutual agreement; and (iii) how to combine the conduct during separation and the conduct continuing after reconciliation into a single coherent set of facts. 3. Implementation and Outcome LKP (i) reviewed the evidentiary weight of the materials Client A originally held and assessed both the lawful availability and the probative usefulness of supplementary materials such as vehicle dashcam audio recordings; (ii) organized objective facts indicating the continuation of the marital relationship — including the parties' reconciliation efforts and the withdrawal of the earlier application for divorce by mutual agreement — and designed a doctrinal response to the anticipated "already broken down" defense; and (iii) reconstructed the conduct occurring during separation and the conduct continuing after reconciliation into a single chronological narrative for use at the hearing. The court accepted parts of Client A's arguments, recognized that B had infringed Client A's marital relationship, and ordered B to pay consolation money. The case shows how, in matters involving separations, reconciliations, and other transitions in the marital relationship, strategies for proving extramarital conduct and rebutting a "already broken down" defense can be designed.

1. Facts and Background Client A (the plaintiff) became aware of an inappropriate relationship between A's spouse and a third party, B, and retained LKP to seek consolation money. In the proceedings, B argued that the contact had been "merely a one or two-time lapse" and not a continuing relationship. The principal task was therefore to show, by objective evidence, that what had occurred was not an isolated incident but a continuing and repeated relationship. 2. Key Legal Issues In assessing damages for this type of misconduct, the continuity and repetitiveness of the relationship are generally relevant. The main issues were: (i) how to organize, in chronological order, the frequency, duration, and timing of the meetings to show continuity; (ii) how to combine indicators of overnight stays and travel (vehicle routes, entry/exit times) with a contextual reading of lawfully obtained messenger materials (forms of address, emotional language, and shared schedules); and (iii) how to compile and organize precedents distinguishing continuing relationships from isolated lapses, so as to persuade the court that this matter was different from a typical "one-off" deviation. 3. Implementation and Outcome LKP (i) organized, in chronological order, the frequency, dates, and locations of the meetings on the basis of materials provided by Client A; (ii) analyzed indicators of overnight stays and travel through objectively verifiable materials such as vehicle routes and entry/exit times; and (iii) used the contextual elements of the messenger exchanges — forms of address, emotional expressions, shared schedules — to demonstrate an emotional and relational continuity inconsistent with a one-off encounter. Precedents distinguishing continuing relationships from isolated lapses were also compiled and submitted as comparative materials, and at the hearing LKP showed that the assembled materials converged into a single, coherent set of facts. The court declined to accept B's "one or two times" defense, recognized that the relationship had been continuing and repeated, and rendered a judgment in favor of Client A. The case is of practical significance in showing how chronological aggregation of circumstantial evidence and contextual analysis of messenger exchanges can support proof of the continuity of an extramarital relationship.

1. Facts and Background Client A (the plaintiff) had confirmed, through information from acquaintances and message records on the spouse's mobile phone, that an extramarital relationship between the spouse and a workplace colleague, B (the defendant), had continued for about one year. Considering child-rearing and her own employment, Client A did not wish to leave a litigation record; she wished to maintain the marriage and hold only B legally accountable. 2. Key Legal Issues The main issues were: (i) how to assess the evidentiary use and limitations of the messenger records and call logs obtained by Client A; (ii) how, given Client A's wish to avoid litigation, to design a strategy that placed cease-and-desist correspondence and settlement at the forefront; (iii) how, in the event B replied denying the relationship, to organize and convey, on an objective basis, the legal risks that would arise upon conversion to litigation, so as to elicit a willingness to settle; and (iv) how to draft, with care, a settlement agreement that included not only the financial settlement terms but also confidentiality, no-contact, and non-recurrence provisions. 3. Implementation and Outcome LKP (i) reviewed, as a first step, the evidentiary use and limitations of the messenger records and call logs obtained by Client A; (ii) given Client A's wish to avoid litigation, adopted a strategy that placed cease-and-desist correspondence at the forefront, and prepared and dispatched a cease-and-desist letter clearly setting out the facts of the conduct and the basis of legal responsibility; (iii) when B's response denied the relationship, organized and conveyed, on the basis of the available evidence, the specific legal risks that would arise on conversion to litigation, eliciting a willingness to settle; and (iv) drafted with care a settlement agreement that included confidentiality, no-contact, and non-recurrence provisions. A settlement was reached about three weeks after dispatch of the cease-and-desist letter; Client A obtained payment of the settlement sum and confidentiality and no-contact undertakings, bringing the matter to a conclusion without recourse to litigation. The case shows a settlement-oriented strategy designed around a client's wish for confidentiality and the preservation of her daily life.

1. Facts and Background Client A (the plaintiff) became aware of an inappropriate relationship between A's spouse and a third party, B, and tried to settle. B, however, denied responsibility, blamed Client A, and continued unsolicited contact, displaying an antagonistic attitude. Considering the welfare of the children and the need for daily stability, Client A wished, where possible, to resolve the matter without litigation. LKP was retained to develop a pre-litigation strategy that would change B's attitude through legal pressure and produce a settlement on reasonable terms. 2. Key Legal Issues As the matter aimed at out-of-court resolution, the principal issues were: (i) how to organize the facts and continuity of the relationship to neutralize defenses such as "merely a social acquaintance" or "a long-since terminated relationship"; (ii) how to convey to B, on an objective basis, the additional exposure (litigation costs, damages, reputational consequences) that would arise if the matter were litigated; and (iii) how to design protective settlement provisions — no-contact, non-disparagement, liquidated-damages, and confidentiality clauses — to deter recurrence. Drawing on family-practice know-how and relevant precedents, LKP prepared and dispatched a cease-and-desist letter that excluded emotional language and was firmly grounded in legal doctrine and precedent, securing a negotiating advantage at the pre-litigation stage. 3. Implementation and Outcome LKP (i) organized the facts of the relationship and its continuity from the materials Client A had provided, and reconstructed in chronological order the indicators bearing on B's awareness of the spouse's marital status; (ii) compiled, on an objective basis, the criteria typically applied to damages, the anticipated costs of litigation, and the foreseeable social exposure of a contested action, and incorporated those points into the cease-and-desist letter; and (iii) prepared guidance on settlement terms tailored to Client A's family, child-rearing, and workplace circumstances. The settlement agreement included no-contact, non-disparagement, confidentiality, and liquidated-damages provisions to deter recurrence. As a result, B changed position, engaged in negotiations on the basis of an acknowledgement of responsibility, and the matter was resolved early through a settlement that included payment, a written apology, and a cessation of contact, without recourse to litigation. The case illustrates a dispute-resolution strategy that prioritized the minimization of social exposure and the protection of the client's daily life and child-rearing environment.

1. Facts and Background Client A (the plaintiff) learned, from a third party, of an extramarital relationship between A's spouse and B (the defendant). Subsequently, B's spouse commenced a damages action against Client A's spouse. In response, Client A retained LKP to bring a damages action against B and indicated a wish to obtain damages at a level comparable to that recognized in the related case. 2. Key Legal Issues The main issues were: (i) how to incorporate the developing trends of the related case and the criteria applied to the calculation of damages into the present matter; (ii) how, in response to the court's recommendation that the case be transferred to the court of B's domicile, to organize the doctrinal basis for jurisdiction by appearance — including the principle that, where the defendant pleads to the merits without objecting to jurisdiction, jurisdiction by appearance may be recognized — so as to keep the matter before the same panel; and (iii) how to incorporate the principle of equity with the related case into the relief sought and the scope of the claim, and how to construct oral arguments so as to elicit a consistent judicial determination. 3. Implementation and Outcome LKP (i) analyzed the content, issues, and calculation methodology of the related case and designed the relief sought, the scope of the claim, and the damages-calculation strategy accordingly; (ii) adopted a strategy of filing the complaint with the same court and, in response to the court's recommendation of transfer of jurisdiction, organized the doctrinal grounds for jurisdiction by appearance and explained the practical advantages of having the matter heard by the same panel; and (iii) consistently presented the facts and the claim by reference to the principle of equity with the related case throughout the oral proceedings. The court recognized B's liability for the extramarital conduct and ordered B to pay Client A consolation money together with delayed-payment interest. The case shows how, where related cases are pending in parallel, jurisdictional strategy and the principle of equity can be combined into a coherent litigation strategy.

1. Facts and Background Client A (the plaintiff) confirmed an inappropriate relationship between A's spouse and an acquaintance, B (the defendant). B denied responsibility on the asserted basis that the relationship had "long since been terminated" and did not respond to Client A's settlement requests. Holding messenger screenshots indicating that the relationship had in fact continued until a relatively recent point in time, Client A wished to bring the matter to a conclusion by settlement at the pre-litigation stage and retained LKP. 2. Key Legal Issues The main issues were: (i) how to assess the evidentiary use and limitations of the messenger screenshots held by Client A and how to organize any supplementary materials; (ii) how, in anticipation of B's "already terminated" defense, to analyze with precision the dates and contexts of the messages to identify the period during which the relationship had continued; (iii) how to organize, on an objective basis, the matters that would be presented in any subsequent litigation — including the list of evidence to be submitted to the court and the anticipated amount of the claim — so that B would clearly perceive the practical benefits of settlement; and (iv) how to draft, with care, no-contact and non-recurrence provisions in the settlement agreement to deter recurrence. 3. Implementation and Outcome LKP (i) analyzed the dates and contexts of the messenger records submitted by Client A and organized the surrounding circumstances showing that the relationship had continued until a particular point in time; (ii) marshaled those materials to provide a direct rebuttal to B's "already terminated" defense and incorporated them into the cease-and-desist letter; (iii) stated, in the letter, both the substance of the available evidence and the list of evidence and anticipated amount of any claim that would be submitted to the court in litigation, so that B might perceive the practical benefits of settlement on an objective basis; and (iv) drafted with care a settlement agreement including no-contact and non-recurrence provisions. A settlement was reached about two weeks after the dispatch of the cease-and-desist letter, and Client A obtained payment of the settlement sum and a no-contact undertaking, bringing the matter to a conclusion without recourse to litigation. The case shows how, in the negotiation of a settlement, careful identification of the period of the relationship and the objective organization of litigation-related risks can affect the outcome.

1. Facts and Background During the marriage, Client A (the plaintiff) had suffered physical and mental harm from repeated violence by the spouse, B (the defendant), and decided to bring an action for divorce for the safety and healthy development of the children. Client A felt fear of any direct contact with B and concern about her economic independence after divorce — particularly the securing of child support. Given that the joint marital assets were limited and that little economic benefit could realistically be expected from the division of marital property, the securing of child support was the principal issue capable of determining the outcome. 2. Key Legal Issues The main issues were: (i) how to organize and demonstrate, in a systematic manner, that the marital breakdown was the result not of ordinary marital conflict but of repeated violence, and how to design the procedural approach so that Client A could safely participate in the mediation process; (ii) how to analyze precisely B's level of income, potential earning capacity, and the children's age-specific educational costs, so as to present a realistic and specific child-support calculation; and (iii) given the limited divisible assets, how to construct the mediation proposal in such a way as to focus B's attention on the child-support obligation and encourage cooperation. 3. Implementation and Outcome LKP (i) systematically organized the circumstances of the domestic-violence harm suffered by Client A to clarify the allocation of fault for the marital breakdown, and gave priority to managing the procedural conduct of the mediation so that Client A would not feel under psychological pressure; (ii) precisely analyzed B's level of income, potential earning capacity, and the children's age-specific educational costs, and presented a realistic and specific child-support calculation; and (iii) given the limited divisible assets, constructed and steered the mediation proposal to focus B on the child-support obligation, maximizing Client A's practical economic interests. The matter was concluded by mediation: Client A was safely separated from B in legal and physical terms and obtained a level of child support sufficient to raise the children with stability, establishing a foundation for a new daily life. The case shows the design of a child-support-centered negotiation strategy where the divisible assets are limited.

Successful Damage Claim Against the State and Local Government for Soil Remediation Costs in a Redevelopment Area1. Fact Summary and Background• Client Situation: The client (AE District Housing Redevelopment Association) discovered severe soil contamination in land formerly owned by the State and Dongdaemun-gu while conducting apartment construction within the project area in Seoul. • Case Background: The Association had acquired the land through either paid purchase or gratuitous transfer from the State and Dongdaemun-gu. During construction, pollutants such as copper, lead, and zinc were found exceeding the threshold for soil contamination concerns, leading the Association to incur massive remediation expenses. • Key Review Matters: The core issues were whether the delivery of contaminated land by the sellers (State and local government) constituted a "default of obligation (incomplete performance)" and whether remediation liability could be sought for land that was transferred gratuitously. 2. Key Legal Issues• Liability for Damages Due to Incomplete Performance: Whether delivering land with buried pollutants without prior remediation constitutes a default under Article 390 of the Civil Act. • Standard for Calculating Remediation Costs: The process of objectively calculating the weight of pollutants and the resulting remediation costs specifically for the parcels sold by the defendants through expert appraisal. • Scope of Liability for Gratuitously Transferred Land: Legal interpretation on whether the State or local government can be held liable for warranty or damages regarding land transferred gratuitously (obsolete infrastructure) under the Urban Improvement Act. 3. Execution and Achievement• LKP’s Role and Arguments:o Assisted by a professional appraiser, LK Partners precisely analyzed the specific burial locations, volume, and weight of the contaminated soil to define the scope of the defendants' liability. o LKP pointed out that the defendants (Republic of Korea and Dongdaemun-gu) failed their remediation duties under the Soil Environment Conservation Act at the time of sale and logically proved that delivering the land in a contaminated state was a failure to fully perform contractual obligations. • Result for the Client: The court accepted LK Partners' arguments and rendered a partial victory for the plaintiff, ordering the Republic of Korea and Dongdaemun-gu to pay the Association for the remediation costs of the purchased land along with delayed interest. • Significance of the Case:o Established a practical legal precedent that redevelopment associations can be compensated for remediation costs based on "incomplete performance" when pollutants are found in land purchased from the State or local governments. o It is significant for reasonably distributing the economic burden of unexpected environmental cleanup costs—often incurred in large-scale projects—to the original parties responsible, such as the State. 

Successful Defense for a Regional Housing Association: Nullification of Mutual Termination and Refund Agreements1. Fact Summary and Background• Inception of the Case: The Plaintiff (a member of the association) joined a regional housing association in Mapo-gu, Seoul, selecting a specific unit size (39㎡) and paying approximately KRW 139.4 million in contributions. • Change in Circumstances: Following a change in the project plan that eliminated the selected unit size, the Plaintiff and the Defendant (the Association) entered into an agreement to mutually terminate the contract and refund the full amount of paid contributions. • Litigation: When the refund was delayed, the Plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the Association seeking the return of the funds based on the refund agreement. 2. Key Legal Issues• Validity of Refund Agreements without General Meeting Resolutions: A central issue was whether the agreement remained valid despite the lack of a general meeting resolution. Since association contributions are considered "collective property" (total ownership by all members), any act to refund them must follow strict procedural protocols. • Determining "Impossibility of Performance": The court debated whether the inability to provide the originally selected unit size due to project plan changes constituted a legal "impossibility of performance" of the Association's contractual obligations. 3. Execution and Achievement• LKP’s Role and Arguments:o Representing the Defendant (the Regional Housing Association), LKP strongly argued that the refund agreement in question was an act of disposal that reduced the Association's assets and was a contract imposing a burden on members outside the established budget. Therefore, it was void without a formal resolution from the general meeting. o Furthermore, LKP defended against the "impossibility of performance" claim by demonstrating that changes in unit sizes are reasonably foreseeable during the permit process for regional housing projects. LKP noted that the contract explicitly stated unit sizes could increase or decrease, meaning the supply of a "specific unit size" was not the absolute objective of the contract. • Result for the Client: The court accepted all of LK Partners' arguments, dismissing the Plaintiff's claims in their entirety and ordering the Plaintiff to bear all litigation costs—a total victory for the Defendant Association. • Significance of the Case:o The judgment reaffirmed the established Supreme Court principle that "refund guarantees" or "mutual termination agreements" made individually with members are ineffective if they lack proper legal procedures (general meeting resolutions). o This case is significant for protecting the stability of the project by preventing the risk of depleting project funds through indiscriminate and non-procedural refund promises. 

Recognition of Independent Distribution Rights for Owners of Houses Converted to Multi-Household Dwellings within New Town Districts1. Fact Summary and Background• Client Situation: The clients (Plaintiffs) are members of a redevelopment association in a Seoul New Town district who own individual units in buildings that were converted from multi-family (single owner) houses to multi-household (individual ownership) houses.• Case Background: The Association formulated a Management and Disposal Plan that granted only one distribution right (apartment voucher) to the entire group of clients, classifying the rest as subjects for cash compensation. The Association argued, based on Seoul Metropolitan Government ordinances, that the clients had not completed their partitioned registration (separate titles) by a specific deadline (end of 2003).• Key Review Matters: The core of the dispute was determining the "Base Date for Determining Rights" (cutoff date) for distribution rights in a New Town project and deciding whether statutory law or local ordinances should take precedence.2. Key Legal Issues• Legal Interpretation of the Base Date for Determining Rights: Unlike general redevelopment, New Town projects are governed by the "Special Act on the Promotion of Urban Refurbishment." LKP argued that the official designation date of the Promotion District (December 21, 2006) should serve as the base date for determining distribution rights.• Challenging the Illegality of Ordinance Application: LKP logically countered that the supplementary provisions of the Seoul Ordinance relied upon by the Association violated the legislative intent of the "Special Act on the Promotion of Urban Refurbishment" by retroactively depriving members of their legitimate distribution rights.• Meaning of "Conversion" in Building Ledgers: LKP emphasized that, legally, "conversion" should be judged based on the timing of the conversion in the building ledger, not the timing of partitioned registration.3. Execution and Achievement• LKP’s Role and Arguments:o Proven that the clients had completed the conversion to multi-household housing in 2002—well before the district designation—demonstrating that this was a legitimate exercise of rights rather than speculative "equity splitting."o Strongly argued that the resolution from a subsequent general meeting, held by the Association to cure procedural defects, was also void as it contained the same substantive defect (deprivation of distribution rights).• Result for the Client: The Seoul High Court accepted LK Partners' arguments, ruling that the portion of the Management and Disposal Plan that failed to recognize the clients' distribution rights was illegal. The court also confirmed that the general meeting resolution re-approving the plan was void.• Significance of the Case:o Successfully blocked an association from arbitrarily interpreting laws to infringe upon the property rights of minority members.o Provided a clear winning guideline for owners of converted multi-household houses within New Town projects, ensuring they do not unfairly lose their distribution rights due to complex and restrictive local ordinances.

Cancellation of Project Plan Due to Infringement of Environmental Rights and Abuse of Discretion Regarding a Retained Building1. Fact Summary and Background• Client Situation: The client (Plaintiff) is the owner of "D" Cathedral, a religious facility located within the "B" Redevelopment District in Seoul, and is a member of the association.• Case Background: Initially, the cathedral was planned to be demolished and relocated. However, following the client's persistent requests, the redevelopment plan was changed to "retain" the cathedral at its current location.• Cause of Dispute: While the Defendant Association revised the project plan to keep the cathedral, they placed five apartment buildings (up to 19 stories high) in the immediate vicinity (approx. 10 meters away).• Major Damages: If executed, the cathedral would be completely surrounded by high-rise buildings, resulting in a near-total loss of sunlight (continuous sunlight duration reduced to 0 minutes) and severe privacy violations, with apartment windows overlooking the interior of the cathedral and the convent.2. Key Legal Issues• Abuse of Discretionary Power: Whether the Association, as an administrative body, properly weighed the public interest against the private interest (the client's environmental rights and freedom of religious activity) when establishing the plan.• Limits of Building Act Exceptions: Whether the "Special Construction Zone" designation, which waives certain sunlight height restrictions, can justify infringements that exceed the "socially acceptable limit" (limit of endurance).• Omission of Proportionality (Balancing of Interests): Whether the Association prioritized the convenience of other members while entirely neglecting the living interests and environmental rights of the cathedral's users.3. Execution and Achievement• LKP’s Role and Arguments:o Emphasized the cathedral's historical significance (established in 1957) and the stable environment enjoyed by resident priests, nuns, and approximately 3,700 parishioners.o Proved through expert appraisal that the sunlight infringement rate would reach 80–100% after the apartment construction, clearly exceeding the limit of endurance.o Pointed out procedural illegality, as the newly planned road would encroach upon essential cathedral facilities (mechanical rooms, emergency exit stairs) without prior consultation or consideration of alternatives.• Result for the Client: The Seoul High Court canceled the Defendant Association's Revised Project Plan.• Significance of the Case:o Clarified that for retained buildings in redevelopment zones, associations must go beyond a formal "retention" decision and ensure minimum environmental rights so the building can function for its original purpose.o Confirmed that individual environmental rights and living interests cannot be unconditionally sacrificed for vague reasons like "increased project costs" or "public interest of housing improvement"

Court Recognizes Independent Member Status and Allotment Rights for Buyer Despite Seller's Temporary Multi-Property Ownership1. Fact Summary and BackgroundThe clients (Plaintiffs) purchased real estate located within the "C" Urban Environment Maintenance Project District in Seoul and completed the registration of ownership transfer. However, a conflict arose because the seller (D) had purchased another property within the same district immediately after selling the first property to the clients.As a result, the seller (D) became a "multi-property owner" for a brief period of two days before the clients finalized their ownership registration. Based on the Act on the Improvement of Urban Areas and Residential Environments, the Defendant (the Reconstruction Association) applied the restriction that multiple owners shall be treated as a single member. Consequently, the Association established a Management Disposal Plan that granted only one joint allotment right to the clients and the seller collectively. The clients faced the risk of losing their individual right to an apartment unit due to circumstances beyond their control and sought legal assistance from LK Partners.2. Key Legal IssuesThe core issue of this case was the interpretation of Article 39, Paragraph 1, Item 3 of the Urban Improvement Act, which restricts membership status when multiple persons come to own properties previously owned by a single person after the authorization of the association's establishment.•The Association’s Argument: Following the literal text of the law, since the seller owned multiple properties after the association was established, the buyers must be treated as a single member together with the seller.•LK Partners’ Argument: The legislative intent of this provision is to prevent an artificial increase in the number of members that could undermine project feasibility. We argued that since the total number of eligible members had not increased compared to the time of the association’s establishment, it was unjust to infringe upon the clients' property rights based on the "accidental circumstance" of the seller's temporary additional purchase.3. Execution and AchievementThe court fully accepted LK Partners' legal reasoning and ruled in favor of the clients.•Court's Ruling: If the number of persons entitled to allotment has not changed from the time of the association’s establishment, the restriction on membership status under the Urban Improvement Act should not be applied.•Final Result: The court canceled the part of the Management Disposal Plan that designated the clients and the seller as joint beneficiaries for a single unit. This successfully restored the clients' status as sole beneficiaries entitled to independent allotment rights.•Significance of the Case: This case is a meaningful precedent that prevents bona fide buyers from being unfairly deprived of their rights through a rigid interpretation of membership restriction laws. It clarifies that the "number of members at the time of establishment" should be the substantial standard for determining allotment rights.

Preliminary Injunction Granted for Infringement of a Commercial Tenant’s Right of PossessionIn a case handled by LK Partners, the court granted a preliminary injunction ordering removal and prohibiting interference, recognizing that the landlord’s construction works infringed upon the commercial tenant’s right of possession and business operations. Case Overview The case involved a commercial tenant in a retail building located in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, who sought a preliminary injunction for removal and prohibition of interference after the landlord carried out construction without the tenant’s consent. The landlord installed scaffolding around the entire exterior of the building and placed construction materials at entrances, substantially obstructing access to the shop and interfering with the tenant’s business operations. Key Issues Whether the tenant’s right of possession and business operations were unlawfully interfered with Whether the landlord’s construction constituted routine maintenance or an unlawful act intended to pressure the tenant to vacate Whether the requirements for granting a preliminary injunction—namely, the existence of a right to be preserved and the necessity of preservation—were satisfied Court’s Decision The Seoul Central District Court granted the tenant’s application, issuing a preliminary injunction ordering removal of the obstructions and prohibiting further interference. When the landlord subsequently filed an objection, the court upheld its original decision, reaffirming the tenant’s rights and the necessity of preservation. The court held that even if the landlord later obtained approval for major repairs, the construction did not qualify as a permissible preservation act and could not justify infringement of the tenant’s possession. LK Partners’ Expertise To promptly and effectively protect the tenant’s rights, LK Partners provided comprehensive legal support, including: Fact-finding and evidence collection: Organizing proof of scaffolding installation, material placement, and interference with business operations Legal analysis and strategy: Demonstrating that the conduct went beyond mere maintenance and amounted to unlawful pressure to force eviction, thereby establishing the right to be preserved and the need for urgent relief Injunction application and advocacy: Seeking specific and effective remedies, including immediate removal, prohibition of possession interference, and restrictions on construction during business hours Response to objections: Defending the injunction against the landlord’s challenges and securing affirmation of the original ruling Through these efforts, LK Partners achieved tangible protection of the tenant’s possession and business operations. Significance of the Case This decision affirms that where a landlord pressures a tenant through scaffolding installation and prolonged business disruption, courts will prioritize protection of the tenant’s right of possession. It is particularly significant in that the court curtailed attempts to justify de facto eviction pressure under the guise of routine maintenance. For legal assistance with commercial lease disputes or infringements of possession, please contact LK Partners. We provide tailored solutions to safeguard tenants’ rights.

Primary Project Financing (PF) Advisory for the Ansan Seonggok-dong CAM Square Data CenterThe Ansan Seonggok-dong KAAM Square Data Center development project (80MW power capacity), for which LK Partners served as legal advisor, successfully secured its main Project Financing (PF) loan in December 2024. The total committed amount under the main PF reached KRW 834 billion. When combined with the KRW 250 billion in equity capital already paid in October 2024, the project secured a total of KRW 1.084 trillion in initial project funding. This achievement is regarded as particularly notable in the domestic data center development market, given both the scale and structural complexity of the project. Main PF Structure and SizeThe PF loan commitment totals KRW 834 billion, structured as follows: Tranche A (Senior): KRW 710 billion Tranche B (Mezzanine): KRW 70 billion Tranche C (Junior): KRW 54 billion Samsung Securities acted as the lead arranger, overseeing the overall financing. In particular, credit enhancement was provided through the issuance of approximately KRW 680 billion in ABSTB (Asset-Backed Short-Term Bonds), including loan receivable purchases, private bond underwriting, and liquidity support obligations. For the execution of this PF, a special purpose company (SPC), KAAM Square First SPC, was established. From December 2024 through June 2028, the SPC plans to issue ABSTB in a total of 21 tranches. Project Overview Location: 670-4, Seonggok-dong, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea Gross Floor Area: 76,459㎡ (approximately 23,128 pyeong) Building Structure: 5 basement levels to 7 above-ground floors Main Contractor: Hyundai Engineering & Construction With the successful completion of the main PF, the project is expected to proceed to groundbreaking, supported by a stable financial foundation for full-scale development. LK Partners’ Role LK Partners provided comprehensive and meticulous legal advisory services throughout the entire lifecycle of the project, from its initial stages through financial close, including: Establishment of the PF vehicle (PFV) and structuring of real estate transactions within the industrial complex Securing power supply capacity and negotiating usage agreements with end-users Advisory on bridge loans and land ownership acquisition Support for advanced structuring agency agreements, building permits, construction, design, and supervision contracts Legal advisory on the main PF loan agreements and trust arrangements In particular, LK Partners’ expertise played a critical role in structuring the project to address the complex stakeholder relationships and regulatory requirements unique to data center developments.