Overview
Seung-mo Koo graduated from Seoul National University College of Law and completed his legal training at the Judicial Research and Training Institute (JRTI) as part of the 31st class. Following his appointment as a prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office in 2005, he dedicated 20 years to public service, culminating in his role as the Director General of the Anti-Corruption Department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in 2025.
Throughout his distinguished career, Attorney Koo has handled a vast array of high-stakes matters, including corporate and white-collar crime, major amendments to the Commercial Code regarding corporate governance, and complex international criminal cases.
While serving as the Director General of the Anti-Corruption Department and the Head of the Fair Trade Investigation Division at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, he gained unparalleled practical expertise in major corporate investigations involving antitrust, finance, and taxation. Notably, during his tenure at the Ministry of Justice’s Commercial Legal Affairs Division, he spearheaded significant legislative amendments to the Commercial Code—addressing critical issues such as self-dealing, misappropriation of corporate opportunities, and the introduction of compliance officers—and authored a definitive commentary on these reforms.
Attorney Koo also possesses a deep global perspective, having served as the International Cooperation Officer at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, Director of International Criminal Affairs at the Ministry of Justice, and Legal Attaché at the Korean Consulate General in Los Angeles. He is a certified Expert Prosecutor in international criminal law, backed by a robust global network.
Beyond his technical mastery, Attorney Koo is recognized for his sincere communication and deep empathy. He prioritizes building relationships of trust, ensuring that he truly understands his clients' needs to deliver the best possible outcomes.
Education
Seoul National University, Graduate School of Law
Ph.D. Coursework Completed (Corporate & Finance Law)
University of Southern California (USC), Gould School of Law
LL.M.
Seoul National University, Graduate School of Law
LL.M. (Civil Law)
Seoul National University, College of Law
LL.B.
Whimoon High School
Graduate
Experience
Attorney, Seo & Lee Law Firm (Current)
Director General, Anti-Corruption Department, Supreme Prosecutors’ Office
Deputy Chief Prosecutor, Gwangju High Prosecutors’ Office
Legal Counsel (Director General level), Ministry of Justice
Head of Branch Office, Namyangju Branch
Professor, Justice Learning Institute
International Cooperation Officer, Supreme Prosecutors’ Office
Head of 2nd Criminal Division, Busan Western Branch Office
Head of Fair Trade Investigation Division, Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office
Director, International Criminal Affairs Division, Ministry of Justice
Head of 3rd Criminal Division, Anyang Branch Office
Legal Attaché, Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles
Prosecution Research Officer, Anti-Corruption Department, Supreme Prosecutors’ Office
Prosecutor, Commercial Legal Affairs Division, Ministry of Justice
Prosecutor, Seoul Central; Pyeongtaek; Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Offices
Judge Advocate, Republic of Korea Air Force
31st Class, Judicial Research and Training Institute
Passed the 41st National Bar Examination
Activities & Honors
Special Amendment Committee for the Commercial Act (Corporate Section, 2011)
Civil Act Amendment Committee (2023)
Special Committee on Family Law (2023)
Prosecutor General’s Commendation (2008)
Minister of Justice’s Commendation (2011)
Books & Publications
Key Features of the 2012 Enforcement Decree of the Amended Commercial Act
Commercial Law Review, 2012
Current Status and Improvement Plans for Investigations into Unfair Trade Practices under the Capital Markets Act
Beopjo, 2012
Legislative Process and Future Tasks of the Corporate Section of the Commercial Act
Advanced Commercial Legal Research, 2011
A Study on Anticipatory Repudiation under the Uniform Commercial Code
Master’s Thesis, 2005