In a groundbreaking announcement on November 24, 2023(India local time), LAWASIA disclosed the results of its executive elections for the term 2023-2024. Attorney Eric Yang emerged as the Vice President, and Hongjoong Kim secured a position as an Exco Member.The election, conducted through online voting from November 1 to 17, witnessed active participation from councillors representing approximately 40 countries.This re-election marks Eric Yang's second consecutive term as Vice President, building upon his initial appointment in 2021. Mr. Eric Yang is a partner in the corporate, mergers and acquisitions practice group of leading Korean law firm Bae, Kim & Lee LLC and leads the firm’s Southeast Asia Practice. Since 2016, he has been a Member of the Executive Committee of LAWASIA, and from 2021 to the present, he has served as Vice President. Prior to joining Bae, Kim & Lee LLC in 2015, he worked at Yulchon LLC for 15 years and was seconded to Allen & Overy’s Hong Kong office.Mr. Yang holds several professional appointments, including the past Vice President (International Affairs) of the Korean Bar Association, Member of the Ministry of Justice Legal Advisory Group for Overseas Expansion of Small and Medium Enterprises.Specializing in cross-border transactions and overseas investment, Mr. Yang’s expertise extends to outbound mergers and acquisitions, construction, financial transactions, and dispute resolution in the Southeast Asia region, as well as energy and infrastructure projects.Hongjoong Kim, the newly elected Executive Committee Member, is a senior partner in the international arbitration and litigation group at Bae, Kim & Lee LLC, the leading law firm in Korea with over 750 professionals. Since 2006, HJ has been involved in numerous international disputes, applying his exceptional expertise to each case. His experience spans multiple industries, including post-M&A, distributorship, shipbuilding, aerospace, retail, automobile parts, oil, pharmaceuticals, and private equity.Since February 2023, Mr. Kim represents the Korean Bar Association as the Vice President (International Affairs) and Chairman of the International Committee. In this role, HJ is responsible for all international affairs, including attending or organizing international conferences, exchange meetings between bar associations at the national level, and discussions with government bodies on international matters like opening of the legal market.The election of Eric Yang and Hongjoong Kim to LAWASIA, a global association, featuring two Korean executives, not only signifies the elevated standing of the Korean legal profession but also aligns with LAWASIA's dedication to nurturing diversity, expertise, and international collaboration within the legal realm .LAWASIA is a progressive, political international organization for litigators, consisting of lawyers, practicing judges, and litigation professors across Asia and the Pacific. Established in 1966, LAWASIA has hosted its annual conference in Seoul, Korea, on three times, and Korean lawyers have been honored to serve three terms as president. For more information, please visit the [LAWASIA Website].

On November 7 2023, the Korean Bar Association, led by President Kim Young-hoon, signed a Memorandum of Understanding​​ with the Indonesian Bar Association, chaired by Otto Hassibuan. This agreement focuses not only on organizational collaboration but also on the verification of mutual member information and the sharing of legal insights.Indonesia, as the fourth most populous country globally, boasts abundant natural resources, making it a prominent new investment destination. The recent implementation of the 'Korea-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)' further enhances its openness. In Jakarta, Indonesia, there are five Korean law firms that have opened branches, marking the third-highest number after Vietnam and China.​Discussions regarding the Memorandum of Understanding​ between the Korean Bar Association and the Indonesian Bar Association commenced earnestly at the The Presidents of Law Associations in Asia​(POLA) summit in Kuala Lumpur in July. Within approximately four months, these discussions culminated in the signing ceremony. Originally planned to occur at the International Bar Association(IBA) Annual conference, the signing took place in writing due to the Indonesian Bar Association president's scheduling constraints. The Memorandum of Understanding​​ encompasses various aspects, including sharing mutual legal culture and information, organizing seminars to promote judicial culture, confirming member information for both organizations, and exchanging information on the regulations of foreign lawyers in their respective jurisdictions​Kim Young-hoon, President of the Korean Bar Association, stated, "Korea and Indonesia celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. While trade volume hit a new record last year, exchanges between the Korean Bar Association and the Indonesian Bar Association were relatively weak." He added, "Anticipating an increase in legal demand for Indonesia, we expect this Memorandum of Understanding​​ with Indonesian lawyers to serve as a stepping stone for Korean legal professionals to actively engage in Indonesia."※ Reference: The Indonesian Bar Association, abbreviated as 'PERADI' (Perhimpunan Advokat Indonesia), was established in 2004 through an agreement between the leaders of seven bar associations and the Indonesia-Shariah Law Association. In Indonesia, registration with PERADI is a prerequisite for practicing law, and as of the end of 2022, approximately 58,000 lawyers are registered.​