C. J. Kim

C. J. Kim is a founding partner of CHOI & KIM, a leading maritime & insurance law firm in Korea. Mr. Kim’s areas of focus are not limited to maritime matters, but also include insurance and reinsurance matters, financial disputes such as letter of credit and refund guarantee disputes, rehabilitation and bankruptcy related disputes involving major shipbuilders and carriers. He is highly regarded for handling all around legal disputes and cross-border commercial litigations.

Notable Work

Mr. Kim acted for the IOPC Fund in handling the worst oil contamination disaster in Korean history from 2007 to 2021. The amount claimed by victim claimants in the case was USD 4 billion.

Since 2020, Mr. Kim is acting for a Korean shipowner and its P&I Club, whose ore carrying vessel grounded off the sea of Brazil and subsequently became a total loss. The amount at stake is USD90 million.

Since 2020, Mr. Kim has been advising global reinsurers for two separate fire and explosion incidents damaging major Korean chemical plants. The amount at stake is USD2 hundred million and USD4 hundred million, respectively.

Since 2020, Mr. Kim is advising Singaporean trading houses who are now involved in multi-million USD Bs/L and Ls/C disputes against several Korean commercial banks and Korean warehouse.

Since 2009, Mr. Kim has represented a number of shipping companies in major insolvency cases in relation to Korean shipowners and shipyards during the global economic crisis. When Hanjin Shipping Co., Ltd. filed for bankruptcy in 2016, Mr. Kim also represented a number of shipping companies and port authorities for settlement of their claims against Hanjin. Throughout this period Mr. Kim has acquired a reputation as lawyer well versed in the cross-border insolvency law issues.

In 2017, Mr. Kim was appointed to lead the commission convened to investigate Sewol Ferry incident after having been recognized by the Korean government for his expertise in maritime matters and impartiality, and he led the comprehensive investigation effort to determine what caused the Sewol Ferry to sink, which to this date still remains a social and political issue.

Social Activity

President of Korean Insurance Law Association 2014-2016
Vice-President of Korea Maritime Law Association 2008-2014
Mediator with Seoul High Court 2007 – Present
Arbitrator with the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board 1997 – Present

Academic Work

A PhD holder in commercial law, Mr. Kim has also authored extensive articles on a variety of topics as follows. His research is highly regarded by both the academics and practitioners as his work reflects not only academic understanding but also his prior experience handling legal matters.

• Duplicate Limitation Proceedings for Shipowners in different jurisdictions
• Window Dressing and D&O Policy
• Anti-suit Injunction in Arbitration
• Good Faith Principle in Letters of Credit
• Impact of Hanjin Shipping Bankruptcy on Insolvency Law