Korean Law Firm Shin & Kim Strengthens AI Expertise with Ex-Data Regulator Hire

Korean Law Firm Shin & Kim Strengthens AI Expertise with Ex-Data Regulator Hire

Shin & Kim, a leading legal player in South Korea, makes a strategic move by recruiting Jong-In Yoon, former data protection chief, to drive the formation of its comprehensive AI practice.

The AI & Data Centre practice group, established at Shin & Kim, will be co-chaired by Jong-In Yoon, former chairman of the Personal Information Protection Commission, and Jae-You Choi, former vice-minister of the Ministry of Science, ICT, and Future Planning. Partnering with specialists like Joe Juneyoung Jang in ICT and Jeong Ho Ahn in TMT and data privacy, the group aims to provide comprehensive legal services in the rapidly evolving field of AI and data centre technologies.

The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) across diverse sectors has triggered a concomitant rise in legal complications, primarily concerning intellectual property (IP) infringements and privacy breaches. Notably, the European Union (EU) is poised to implement its comprehensive AI Act within the first half of 2024, prompting similar regulatory discussions and potential enactments in other countries such as the United States, South Korea, and Japan.

In a press release, Shin & Kim announced the launch of its dedicated AI & Data Centre practice group, emphasising its commitment to providing comprehensive legal and policy advisory services. This initiative aims to equip clients in the AI industry with the necessary tools to navigate the complex legal landscape and address challenges related to intellectual property, data privacy, and regulatory compliance, ultimately enabling them to harness the transformative power of AI and data-driven services.

Yoon, a public service veteran with 30+ years under his belt, boasts a formidable track record in data privacy, having served as chairman of the Personal Information Protection Commission (2020-2022) and director at both the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Government Innovation Organisation and the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs' Creative Government Organisation.

Choi, a seasoned tech policy expert with a 30-year career in government, including a decade shaping ICT policy at the Ministry of Information and Communication, joined Shin & Kim in 2017 as a senior advisor, adding invaluable depth to their AI & Data Centre practice.