John
Bang

B.A., J.D.
Partner

johnbang@peterandkim.com +82 2 538 2900
Download CV (English) Download CV (Korean)
Bar admission
New Jersey, 1997(US); New York, 1999(US)
Nationalities
Korean
Languages
English and Korean
Location
Seoul

PROFESSIONAL
PRACTICE

John P Bang is a senior partner (foreign attorney) at Peter & Kim in Seoul. He was previously a senior partner at Bae, Kim & Lee LLC, where he worked for 23 years in various roles, including as the co-founder and head of the International Arbitration & Litigation Practice.

Who’s Who Legal notes that John is “the cornerstone of the arbitration space in Korea” and is recognized as “superb counsel” by his peers. He has represented parties in over 250 proceedings under the rules of all major institutions and/or ad hoc arbitrations including the ICC, SIAC, HKIAC, ICSID, LCIA, AAA/ICDR, UNCITRAL, VIAC, SCC, ACICA, CIETAC, KCAB, CAS, CIAC and JCAA.
He also acts as arbitrator and is regularly appointed as co-arbitrator or presiding arbitrator by institutions and users. Prior to his work at BKL, John served as a federal law clerk to the Honourable Kathryn C. Ferguson. Currently, he is a member of the SIAC Court of Arbitration, an executive committee member of the Korea Council for International Arbitration and a senior officer of the IBA Litigation Committee.

Areas of
Expertise

  • Arbitration / Litigation
  • Investments & BITs
  • Trade law and WTO
  • Mergers & Acquisitions

Industry
Sector

  • Energy & Power Icon Energy & Power
  • Oil Icon Oil
  • Gas Icon Gas
  • Construction & Engineering Icon Construction & Engineering
  • Transportation, Logistics & Shipping Icon Transportation, Logistics & Shipping

Chambers Asia (2020) remarks that John is respected for “not only the legal knowledge, but also the know-how to change the atmosphere and the relationship with the counterparty.”

Who’s Who Legal (2020) points out that “John Bang is an “excellent team leader” who comes “highly recommended” by peers and clients alike for his expertise handling disputes under various arbitral rules around the world.”

Chambers Global (2020) describes John as ”very diligent and passionate” while commending him as a ”Top advocate.”

  • Counsel in a high-value ICC Arbitration seated in Singapore for a Korean construction company concerning the development of a USD 35 billion business district project.
  • Counsel in an ICC Arbitration seated in Singapore for a major Korean financial group in an international arbitration in relation to the sale of shares in a major Korean bank related to the Lonestar-ROK treaty arbitration.
  • Counsel in a successful, high-profile ICC arbitration involving a dispute among shareholders for control over a major Korean oil refining and marketing company, with the underlying claims valued at over USD 3 billion (or USD 5 billion including counterclaims). The arbitration award won GAR’s “Arbitration Win of the Year” in 2011.
  • Counsel in a high-value LCIA arbitration seated in London, arising from a dispute regarding the procurement, construction and commissioning of the first nuclear power station in the United Arab Emirates.
  • Counsel in an ICSID arbitration based on the Korea – Belgium/Luxembourg BIT, involving multi-billion-dollar claims against the Government of Korea.
  • Counsel in a consolidated HKIAC arbitration arising from a post-M&A dispute regarding the sale of shares in a major logistics company between two global private equity firms.
  • Counsel in a high-value SIAC Arbitration seated in Singapore for a consortium of Asian companies concerning the development and operation of a major power plant.
  • Counsel in an ICC Arbitration seated in Singapore for a major Korean airline in a price review dispute based a long-term catering service agreement.
  • Counsel in an investment treaty arbitration filed by Swiss-based elevator maker Schindler against the Government of Korea, over its investment in Hyundai Elevator.
  • Counsel to a football club in a dispute at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against a player’s agent.
  • Co-arbitrator in a SIAC arbitration seated in Singapore, arising out of an insurance claim under a trade credit insurance policy for the sale of steel.
  • Co-arbitrator in a HKIAC arbitration seated in Hong Kong, arising out of an Equity and Purchase Agreement from the automobile component industry.
  • Federal Law Clerk, The Honourable Kathryn C. Ferguson, USBJ, New Jersey (1996-1997)
  • Panel of Arbitrators, Korean Commercial Arbitration Board, Chinese Arbitration Association (Taipei), etc. (2011-present)
  • Executive Committee Member, KOCIA (Korea Council for International Arbitration) (2012-present)
  • Senior Officer, IBA Litigation Committee (2013-present)
  • Member of Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) Users’ Council (2015-present)
  • Member of London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) Users’ Council (2016-present)
  • Panel of Arbitrators, Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) (2016-present)
  • Panel of Arbitrators, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) (2016-present)
  • Executive Committee Member, KOCIA (Korea Council for International Arbitration) (2019-present)
  • Court Member, Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) (2019-present)
  • Bae, Kim & Lee LLC (1998-2020)
  • Peter & Kim (2021.1-present)
  • University of Pennsylvania (B.A., 1993)
  • Temple University School of Law (J.D., 1996)
  • Contributor for Korea in “GAR Know-how– Litigation”

    Global Arbitration Review, 2016 – 2020

  • Co-author of the Korea chapter in "The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Litigation & Dispute Resolution"

    Global Legal Group, 2016 – 2019

  • Co-author of “Arbitration Law and Practice,”

    Seoul: Pakyongsa, 2012

  • Co-author of “Arbitration Law of Korea: Practice and Procedure,”

    Juris, 2012

  • Co-author of “BKL Guide to International Arbitration in Korea,”

    1st –5th ed.: 2004 – 2014