Hyunyang Koo is a partner at Peter & Kim in Seoul. As a Korean-qualified lawyer since 2014, Hyunyang handles a broad range of international arbitration and cross border litigation matters. She specializes in disputes and advising matters arising from international construction, and infrastructure projects including nuclear power plant projects. She also handles software license agreements, military projects, distributorship agreements, insurance, and international sports-related disputues. She has represented clients in numerous arbitrations under the rules of the ICC, LCIA, SIAC, KCAB, CAS, SHIAC, as well as ad hoc arbitrations, seated in various jurisdictions and governed by multiple legal systems.
Prior to joining the firm, Hyunyang worked as an in-house counsel at Samsung C&T, where she managed various legal affairs for offshore construction contracts in Australia, North America, South-East Asia, and the Middle East.
Hyunyang actively participates in the international arbitration community, serving as a member of the YSIAC Council and Regional Ambassador for HK45. Previously, she served as a member of the Steering Committee for Young MCIA.
Career details
- Partner, Peter & Kim (2026 – present)
- Partner, Lee & Ko (2016 – 2026)
- Secondee, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (2022-2023)
- In-house Counsel, Samsung C&T (2014 – 2016)
Education details
- UC Berkeley School of Law (LL.M., 2022)
- Seoul National University Law School (LL.M., 2016)
- Yonsei University (LL.B., 2012)
Experience
- Represented a Korea-based engineering company against a Qatar company in relation to a metro project regarding delay and cost claim in an ICC arbitration
- Advised Korean state-owned power utility company for their claims in relation to a nuclear power plant project
- Advised a Korean company in relation to a SMR nuclear power plant project in the U.S.
- Represented a Korea-based construction company against an Omani company in
relation to a water sewage plant project regarding delay and cost claim in an ad-hoc arbitration - Represented a Korea-based construction company against an Omani subcontractor in relation to a water sewage plant project regarding LD claim and cost claim in an ICC arbitration
- Represented a Korea-based construction company against an Egyptian subcontractor regarding delay and cost claim in an ICC arbitration
- Represented a Korea-based shipbuilding company against a German company in relation to a submarine project regarding defect issues in a SIAC arbitration
- Represented the Korean government against a German company in relation to a
submarine project regarding LD claim and defects in an ICC arbitration - Represented a Swiss construction company against a Korean subcontractor in relation to a plant project in Abu Dhabi regarding LD claim and cost claim in a KCAB arbitration
- Represented an Austrian construction company against a Korean subcontractor
regarding delay and cost claim in a KCAB arbitration - Represented a Korea-based entertainment company against a Chinese company in relation to an IP dispute in SHIAC arbitration
- Represented a Korean electric power company against a Japanese manufacturing
subcontractor regarding damage claim in a KCAB arbitration - Represented a Korean rolling stock company against an Indian railway manufacturing company regarding licensing agreement in an ICC arbitration
- Represented a Korean electronics company against an American software company regarding withholding tax matter in an ICC arbitration
- Represented a Korean telecommunication company against a global software company regarding licensing agreement in an ICC arbitration
- Represented a Korean government-owned electric utility company against a global software company regarding licensing agreement in an ICC arbitration
- Represented Tae Hwan Park, a Korean athlete in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in relation to a ban from participating in the Rio Olympic Games
- Represented a Japanese short-track speed skater in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in relation to a provisional ban from participating in the Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games
Professional Affiliations
- Korean and Seoul Bar Associations
- Panel of International Arbitrators, KCAB International (2024 – Present)
- YSIAC Committee Council (2023 – Present)
- HK45 Regional Ambassador (2023 – Present)
- Young MCIA Steering Committee (2023 – 2025)
Publications
- “Construction project delay due to Russia-Ukraine War – What are the options under FIDIC, English law and Russian law?”, International Contractors Association of Korea Journal, International Contractors Association of Korea, 2023
- “International Construction Project Contracts and Bonds ‒ On-demand bonds and others”, K-BUILD Journal, International Contractors Association of Korea, 2022
- Co-author, “COVID-19 ‒ A Force Majeure or Something Else?”, Korean Arbitration Review 12th Issue, KCAB International, 2021
- Co-author, “Attorney-Client Privilege Guide, Korea Chapter”, LexMundi, 2020
- Co-author, “The Baker & McKenzie International Yearbook 2019, Korea Chapter”, Juris Publishing, 2019
- Co-author, “The Baker & McKenzie International Yearbook 2018, Korea Chapter”, Juris Publishing, 2018
- Co-author, “South Korea, in Guideposts to Third Party Funding in International
Arbitration”, Juris Publishing, 2018
Accolades/rankings
- Ranked “Recommended” for Construction by Lexology Index (Global) (2025)
- Ranked “Future Leaders ‒ Partners” for Arbitration by Lexology Index (Global) (2025)
- Ranked “Recommended” for Arbitration by Lexology Index (South Korea) (2025)
- Ranked “Recommended” for Construction & Real Estate by Lexology Index (South Korea) (2025)
- Named “Leading Lawyers 2025” by Legal Times (2025)
- Ranked “Future Leaders ‒ Partners” for Construction by Who’s Who Legal (Global) (2024)
- Ranked “Recommended” for Arbitration by Who’s Who Legal (South Korea) (2024)
- Ranked “Recommended” for Construction & Real Estate Who’s Who Legal (South Korea) (2024)
- Ranked “Future Leaders ‒ Partners” for Arbitration by Who’s Who Legal (Global) (2024)
- Named “Leading Lawyers 2024” by Legal Times (2024)
- Ranked “Recommended” for Arbitration by Who’s Who Legal (South Korea) (2023)
- Named “Rising Stars 2021” by Legal Times (2021)