SHIN & KIM Launches Media and Communications Strategy Research Institute to Bolster Response to Reputational Risks

Building an Integrated Advisory System for Media Disputes and Crisis Management

Group photo of the Media and Communications Strategy Research Institute at Sejong LLC. Photo courtesy of Sejong.

SHIN & KIM LLC announced on November 12 that it had launched the Media and Communications Strategy Research Institute to provide comprehensive responses to media-related legal disputes and corporate reputational risks.

Recent advances in digital technology and the spread of social media have changed how information is produced and distributed, making media-related disputes and corporate reputational risks more complex. In particular, as external communications and public opinion during corporate litigation and disputes can affect a company's credibility, the need for risk management that combines legal responses with strategic communications is growing, the firm said.

The institute plans to provide comprehensive services, ranging from preventive risk management—including advice on press arbitration and media disputes, media relations management, public opinion analysis, and communications strategy development—to media response and reputation management when a crisis occurs. It will also conduct research on media-related laws, policies, and regulatory trends, and organize academic events.

Shim Seoktae, an adviser at SHIN & KIM, will head the institute. A media expert, Shim previously served as head of SBS's News Division, director of its New Media Bureau, and editorial writer. He has also served as president of the Korean Society for Media Law and as chair of the Korea Internet Newspaper Ethics Committee. He holds a doctorate in law, is admitted to the New York State Bar, and currently serves as a special appointment professor at the Semyung University Graduate School of Journalism.

Attorney Kim Woogyun, an expert in broadcasting, content, and copyright, will serve as deputy head. Kim, who completed the 37th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute, previously served on the SBS Viewers' Committee and as a legal adviser to MBC's Newsdesk. Other participants include attorney Lim Sanghyuk, adviser Kim Sangho, senior expert committee members Kim Geonhun, Lim Jooyoung, and Lee Jonggwan, and senior research fellow Lee Jieun, along with other experts in media, law, and communications.

“The media and communications-related risks facing companies are becoming increasingly intertwined with legal and regulatory, business, and reputational risks,” said Oh Jonghan, managing partner at SHIN & KIM. “We will combine our legal advisory services with strategic media response capabilities to provide comprehensive legal services.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.