Fast-growing Korean firm Woo Yun Kang Jeong & Han has announced a re-branding as "Yulchon", unifying the different names it has sported domestically in Korean and internationally in English.
 
The corporate identity change means international clients of the firm will now know it under the name it has been known under locally - Yulchon - or literally "Law Village".
 
Yulchon senior foreign legal counsel, Hyo Young Kang (Pictured), says the change was necessary due to some confusion amongst clients over the two different identities.
 
This had at times led to perceptions that the names stood for two different firms. "It was a bit confusing, so we are consolidating under the name Yulchon," Kang says.
 
"The corporate identity change gives us a moment to go back to our three basic qualities - excellence, commitment and innovation - and to look at what has been working for us and to further strengthen those qualities."
 
The firm has been benefited from astounding growth. Founded in 1997 with 10 lawyers, it has since grown to a total of 145 professionals, including lawyers.
 
As part of this continued pursuit of growth, the firm added a significant boost to its IP capabilities late last year, when it merged with local patent firm Myung Moon IP & Law Firm, which will now take the name of Yulchon Patent Firm.
 
Yulchon managing partner Chang Rok Woo said the firm already had capabilities in-house, but wanted the technical support from a small but capable patent agency. The merger effectively gives Yulchon eight new patent agents.
 
As Korean law firms are technically unable to practise patent law (this can only be done by registered patent agents), the firms remain legally separate but effectively combined.