[Law Firm Now] Former Assemblyman Kim Seongsu Appointed as Inaugural Director of YK Law Firm Public Policy Research Institute

Law Firm YK announced on the 3rd that it has established the Public Policy Research Institute to support corporate and organizational public policy-related work. The inaugural director of the institute is former lawmaker Kim Seong-su, a former journalist who served as a member of the National Assembly and Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister.

According to Law Firm YK, the opening ceremony of the Public Policy Research Institute was held yesterday at the main office in Gangnam, Seocho-gu, Seoul, and former lawmaker Kim was appointed as the director.

Kim Seong-su, the inaugural director of the Public Policy Research Institute (Photo by Law Firm YK)

The Public Policy Research Institute will focus on protecting the interests of companies and organizations based on an understanding of public policy issues with significant social impact, such as bills and policies. Through the institute, YK plans to carry out tasks including ▲identifying and analyzing various institutional and policy issues ▲supporting legislative work in the National Assembly ▲providing advisory services for National Assembly audits, investigations, and hearings, as well as supporting National Assembly petitions ▲monitoring and responding to the enactment and revision of laws and regulations by government ministries ▲advising on Board of Audit and Inspection audits ▲managing issues arising from crises such as new policies, bills, and regulations.

Director Kim began his career as a reporter at MBC in 1984, serving as head of the Political Department and News Department, and president of Mokpo MBC. He later entered politics, serving as the floor leader and political coordination chief of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy in 2014, as well as its spokesperson. He was elected as a proportional representative to the 20th National Assembly and served as the Democratic Party’s secretary on the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee. In February 2020, he was appointed Chief Secretary to then-Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun.

Alongside Director Kim, experts who have been engaged in public policy work, including Representative Attorney Choo Won-sik (Judicial Research and Training Institute Class 26), Representative Attorney Lee In-seok (Class 27), Attorney Kim Seung-hyun (Bar Exam 1st), and Attorney Lee Sang-young (Bar Exam 2nd), will be active at the institute.

Director Kim said, "Based on my 30 years of experience dealing with public issues as a journalist and my work in the legislative and executive branches, I will produce research outcomes that will form the foundation of public policy work needed by our society at the YK Public Policy Research Institute."

Representative Attorney Kang Kyung-hoon said, "Through the Public Policy Research Institute, led by former lawmaker Kim, an optimal expert in public policy fields such as policy proposals, legal improvements, and regulatory reforms, we will strive to enhance social responsibility and protect our clients’ core interests to create social value."