Criminal
Criminal Practice
The Criminal Law Team of GAON LAW GROUP is dedicated to delivering high-quality legal services through proactive defense strategies and meticulous, client-centered support that builds lasting trust with our clients.
Drawing on extensive experience in investigations, trials, and legal administration, the team provides objective legal advice rooted in established legal principles and informed by practical insight. With a comprehensive approach aimed at eliminating unjust outcomes and protecting clients’ legitimate interests, GAON’s Criminal Law Practice ensures the highest standard of defense representation.
Through close collaboration with the firm’s Tax Group, Corporate Advisory Team, Administrative & Regulatory Response Team, and Family Office Center, we provide truly integrated, one-stop solutions for even the most complex and interrelated legal issues.
Criminal Law Experts
Led by Mr. Soon-Jung Kwon, the Criminal Law Team is composed of highly experienced professionals including Attorney Ki-Dae Kwon and Attorney Song-Kyung Kim, each recognized for their expertise across criminal, tax, and financial investigations. Together, they deliver sophisticated, strategic responses to any legal challenge.
Soon-Jeong Kwon, Head of Criminal Law Practice
Soon-Jung Kwon, Head of the Criminal Law Practice, has served in leading roles within both the judiciary and the prosecution. He has managed complex, high-profile cases involving securities and finance, corporate misconduct, public office corruption, technology and trade secret misappropriation, intellectual property infringement, and large-scale biotechnology matters. With comprehensive experience across criminal, civil, and administrative domains, he offers strategic solutions grounded in a deep understanding of each case’s broader implications.
Gi-Dae Kwon, Partner
Mr. Ki-Dae Kwon served as a public prosecutor for 19 years, achieving exceptional results in cases involving fraud, embezzlement, breach of fiduciary duty, and corporate control disputes. His tenure as Head of the Criminal Proceeds Recovery Division at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office and as Team Leader at the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) enabled him to develop deep expertise in taxation, finance, and foreign exchange. His additional experience at the Board of Audit and Inspection further enhances his skill in handling administrative investigations and compliance matters.
Song-Kyeong Kim, Attorney
Ms. Song-Kyung Kim stands out as one of the few practitioners with direct experience at both the National Tax Service and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO). Combining in-depth knowledge of tax law and criminal procedure, she provides seamless and integrated defense services from the tax audit stage through criminal investigation and prosecution.
Practice Areas
The GAON Criminal Law Team has extensive experience across a broad range of matters, including corporate control disputes, tax and white-collar crimes, fair trade violations, securities and financial crimes, foreign exchange violations, technology leakage, trade secret misappropriation, intellectual property infringement, defamation, media response, medical malpractice, and regulatory issues in the pharmaceutical, food, and biotechnology sectors. The team also delivers strategic responses to administrative investigations by authorities such as the Board of Audit and Inspection, the National Tax Service, and the Korea Fair Trade Commission.
Corporate Criminal Matters
In corporate criminal matters involving corporate control, taxation, fair trade, and financial transactions, GAON provides preemptive and integrated advice. Leveraging its strength in tax and corporate services, the firm handles complex cases of offshore tax evasion, false or disguised transactions, embezzlement, breach of fiduciary duty, and violations of the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act. GAON also advises companies on compliance frameworks and internal control systems to mitigate legal risks and promote sustainable governance.
Technology Leakage & Intellectual Property
For cases involving technology leakage and intellectual property infringement, GAON responds swiftly from the initial investigation stage to crimes involving the leakage of core technologies and trade secrets, as well as intellectual property infringement that threatens corporate survival. By accurately demonstrating the value of the technology and the extent of the damage, the firm protects clients’ core assets and ensures the recovery of their rightful interests.
Defamation & Media Response
In matters of defamation and media response, GAON takes decisive action against crimes that seriously damage the reputation of individuals and corporations, including malicious false reporting by the media and defamatory content disseminated online. The team is particularly effective in responding to the recent surge of defamation attacks targeting public figures and influencers, providing optimal solutions for rapid recovery and the prevention of secondary harm.
Medical Malpractice, Pharmaceuticals, Food & Biotechnology
GAON delivers clear and effective legal services in matters involving medical malpractice and regulatory violations in the pharmaceutical, food, and biotechnology sectors, where advanced medical and scientific expertise is critical. Through rigorous analysis of complex factual and technical issues, the firm safeguards clients’ legitimate rights and interests.
