Head of practice, KN legal
Chungjin Chung
Attorney Chungjin Chung is an international transactions and arbitration specialist with over 15 years of experience advising on energy and infrastructure projects across Korea, North America, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. He currently serves as Head of Asia at KN Legal, providing comprehensive legal services related to LNG, renewable energy, and infrastructure projects—including contract structuring, project financing, ESG risk assessments, and community engagement strategies.
At Korea Gas Corporation, he led legal advisory for LNG marketing, restructuring of overseas investment projects, and multilateral contract negotiations involving various stakeholders. He also handled a wide range of EPC projects and international arbitrations at SK E&C and Kim & Chang.
In addition to his experience in UNCITRAL and SIAC arbitrations, Mr. Chung has contributed to public policy and institutional development through joint projects with public agencies and multilateral institutions. He also served on the drafting committee for Korea’s Energy Security Act under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. He continues to serve as an advisor and committee member for international arbitration bodies and industry associations in the energy and natural resources sector.
Practice Areas
Education and Career
· University of Toledo College of Law, Ohio, USA – JD (2009)
· B.A. in Political Science and International Relations, Yonsei University (2004)
· Admitted to the New York State Bar (2010)
· Project Management Professional (PMP, 2013)
· Certified in Public-Private Partnerships (PPP, 2019)
· Registered International Arbitrator, Korean Commercial Arbitration Board (KCAB)
· Chair, Energy & Resources Committee, LAWASIA
· Chair, Energy & Resources Committee, Korean Association of International Lawyers (KAIL)
· Committee Member, Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Korea
· Accredited Mediator, Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC)
· Advisor and Lecturer, Korea Plant Industries Association
Achievements
· KN Legal (2023 – Present) Head of Asia Operations
- Leading the Asia practice group
- Leading structuring and negotiation of project financing contracts
- Developing procurement strategies in line with international standards and local regulations
- Handling international arbitrations under UNCITRAL and SIAC
- Advising on ESG compliance obligations (e.g., environmental impact assessments, social protection, stakeholder engagement)
- Leading negotiations with Indigenous communities (e.g., resolving land rights and cultural preservation issues in LNG Canada project)
- Providing legal counsel to public and private sector clients in energy (oil & gas, renewables, feedstock)
- Securing new clients and maintaining existing client relationships
- Managing and mentoring staff in the Asia practice group
- Collaborating with other partners and groups to meet firm objectives
- Monitoring and sharing legal and business trends in Asia
· Korea Gas Corporation (2017 – 2023) Senior Legal Advisor
- Led LNG marketing team for North American LNG projects
- Led financing negotiations for LNG projects in Africa and the Middle East
- Restructured overseas projects in North America and Australia
- Drafted and negotiated contracts including LNG SPAs, exploration and development contracts, and project financing agreements
- Advised on M&A transactions in Australia, Canada, and the United States
- Provided legal support for operations in over 20 countries
- Legal advisor for infrastructure businesses (LNG terminals, FSRU, bunkering)
- Served on the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's Energy Security Law drafting committee
- Oversaw legal aspects of subsidiary mergers and partnership establishments in Canada
- Managed disputes and claims
- Served as a legal expert on the LNG Contracts Committee under the CEO
- Selected and managed external law firms
· SK E&C (2012 – 2016) Legal Counsel and Claims Manager
· Sunlake Co., Ltd., Canada (2014 – 2015) General Counsel and Contract & Claims Manager
- Advised on M&A transactions in Canada
- Negotiated EPC contracts, drafted and revised agreements
- Investigated project claims and developed strategies
- Conducted site visits for legal issue resolution
· Kim & Chang (2011) Associate Attorney
- Advised on M&A, contract drafting, and general corporate law for domestic and international companies
- Translated legal documents (Korean ↔ English)
· Publications & Awards
- Author: "EPC Contract Negotiation Q&A" (Bobmunsa, 2021)
- Coursebook: "Understanding LNG Contracts" (KOGAS, 2018)
- Article: “Force Majeure Clause Practical Tips” (IFLR, 2020)
- Awarded: “Top 100 Lawyers in Korea” by Asia Business Law (2025)
· Country-specific Project Advisory Experience
* Australia
- Advised national companies on LNG sale contracts, farm-in agreements, gas supply contracts, and tolling agreements
* Bangladesh
- Bid-stage advisory for LNG import terminal project for national company
* Canada
- Advised private companies on contract termination, construction claims, and disputes
- Advised on project financing (debt)
- Negotiated EPC contracts
- Advised on legal issues related to equity investment in LNG projects
- Advised on M&A transactions between energy companies
- Comprehensive advisory on LNG projects (FID to implementation) for national companies
- Reviewed FID documents
- Reviewed JV, LNG lifting, transport service, pipeline development, condensate sales, lifting, and loan agreements
- Provided legal advice on stock purchase agreements
- Advised on co-operation and withdrawal issues in joint operations
- Advised Korean contractors on refining projects (including EPC, subcontracts, procurement contracts)
- Advised on change management, contract management, force majeure, schedule extensions
- Project finance advisory
* Colombia
- Bid-stage advisory for Korean construction firms
* Cyprus
- E&P project advisory for national companies (OPEX, dry docking, joint operations, bank guarantees)
- EPC & O&M contract negotiation advisory at bid stage
* Honduras
- Negotiation advisory on cooperation agreement for LNG terminal project with national company
* India
- Negotiation advisory for master engineering service agreement with Korean construction firm
* Indonesia
- Price renegotiation and other terms advisory for LNG sale contracts with national company
- Advisory on share transfer and tax issues
* Iraq
- Termination advisory on EPC and production sharing contracts for national company
* Korea
- Advisory on international trade of biofuels, UCO, SAF for private companies
- LNG sale contracts for national and private entities
- Project financing (including convertible bonds) advisory for startups and SMEs
- EPC and subcontract scope change advisory for PX projects by Korean contractors
- Project finance advisory
* Kuwait
- O&M contract negotiation for LNG terminal project
- Advised on scope change and extension of time
- EPC contract negotiation at bid stage for refinery and substation projects
* Mexico
- Termination and legal change issues in regasification project
- Business portfolio restructuring advisory
- Project finance advisory for pipeline development
* Mozambique
- FID package advisory (including project finance, concession, implementation, resettlement, O&M, shareholders’ agreements)
* Myanmar
- Advisory on termination, force majeure, and gas supply issues in E&P project
* Oman
- Advisory on termination, extension, and JV issues in LNG projects
- Bid-stage advisory for Saih Rawl project by Korean EPC
- Financial institution negotiation for project financing
* Qatar
- LNG sale contract advisory for national company
- Bid-stage advisory for Laffan refinery project by Korean contractor
* Turkey
- Bid-stage advisory for lignite power plant project by Korean contractor
* Saudi Arabia
- Market entry strategy advisory for crypto company
- EPC advisory from bid to implementation for Inlet & Gas treatment project
- Procurement and construction contract advisory
* Spain
- Routine advisory on FEED and procurement management agreements in Lube Base Oil project
* Singapore
- Routine advisory on EPC agreement in Jurong Aromatics Complex project
- Dispute advisory for infrastructure and drilling contracts
* UAE
- Represented Korean clients in criminal litigation
* USA
- Legal advisory for Korean companies establishing U.S. subsidiaries
- M&A advisory for national and private firms
- JV and collaborative R&D agreement negotiation advisory
- Project development advisory (including project finance)
- EPC, consortium, harmonization, and loan agreement negotiation for Texas clean energy project
* Uzbekistan
- Advisory on outstanding issues in gas sale and shareholder agreements
- Advisory on JV contract breach issues in manufacturing project
* Vietnam
- Gas-to-power project advisory