Shin & Kim has succeeded in the lateral hire of antitrust specialist Young Chul Yim, as well as three competition-focused associates, from fast-growing Korean competitor Barun Law.

Yim built a high profile legal career in the public sector at the Korean Fair Trade Commission (FTC), rising to become general counsel of the FTC, and later, director-general of the FTC's Competition Policy Bureau.

Prior to joining the FTC, he was a judge in a number of Seoul District Courts as well as its High Court. He was with Barun Law from 2002-2006.

Many Korean firms have set their sights on antitrust work as a new area for growth, following recent crackdowns by the FTC and other competition bodies worldwide on the anticompetitive behaviour of large conglomerates, including Korean chaebol ('business groups').