WASHINGTON, Oct. 5, 2018 – The American Bar Association Section of International Law will convene its fall conference in Seoul, South Korea, with three days of programming and a number of notable speakers, including the U.S. ambassador to South Korea, Harry B. Harris, Jr..
What:
The New Engine of Growth in Asia Conference: Investment and Technology
Sponsored by the ABA Section of International Law
When:
Wednesday – Friday, Oct. 17-19
Where:
Korea University
145 Anam-Ro Anam-Dong Seongubk-Gu
Seoul-City 136-071 South Korea
Harris, a retired U.S. Navy admiral, will be the dinner speaker on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the Samcheong-Gak, as part of the conference’s gala finale. As the former head of the U.S. Pacific Command, Harris assumed his post this summer and is well-acquainted with South Korea and the U.S.-South Korea alliance.
Law School Dean Soonkoo Myoung of Korea University and Robert Brown, chair of the Section of International Law, will open the conference with remarks on Wednesday at 1:45 p.m. at the CJ Law Hall, B1F Conference Libertas Hall. Korea University President Jaeho Yeom will join Brown on Thursday at 8:45 a.m. in second-day welcoming remarks.
Other notable program highlights include:
“Contribution of American Law and Lawyers to Law, Law Practice and Legal Education in Korea” — American law has been instrumental in nurturing the democracy and market practices of South Korea, a country generally thought to be a civil law country nurtured in the German-Japanese legal traditions. The roles of American lawyers in such development are not widely known. In this session, the elements of American law and how they facilitated the development of Korean law, law practice and education will be explored.
Wednesday, 2–3:15 p.m., CJ Law Hall, B1F Veritas Conference Hall,
“Use of Artificial Intelligence in Legal Services in Korea/Asia” — Asia was where a machine beat its creators in the game of go, awakening the world to the advent of supra-human artificial intelligence and where futuristic narratives on AI have been put to the most philosophical and emotional uses, such as care of seniors and education of children. Use of AI in legal services has been also most innovative. The workshop explores this new development as well as offers insights on unique ethical issues arising out of delivery of legal services through or using AI.
Wednesday, 3:30–4:45 p.m., CJ Law Hall, B1F Veritas Conference Hall
“The Continuing Evolution of the U.S-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement and the Impact on Regional and Trans-Pacific Investment and Technology Transfer” — The free trade agreement between the U.S. and the Republic of Korea promised to join not only two of the world’s largest trading partners but also had the potential for significant impact on geopolitical stability, territorial expansion in the South China Sea and the rule of law on many issues, including intellectual property rights and human rights. This panel will examine the evolution of KORUS up to and including the current treatment of the FTA given political realities in South Korea and in the U.S. under the Trump Administration.
Thursday, 9–10:30 a.m., CJ Law Hall, B1F Conference Libertas Hall
“Trends and Challenges for Indian and Chinese Outbound and Inbound Investments” — There are many issues that relate to investments in India and China, as well as making investments from India and China. These include setting up a subsidiary, a joint venture, acquisition, undertaking a venture capital or a private equity investment. Panelists will explore issues such as exchange controls, antitrust, enforceability of investment agreements and dispute resolution mechanisms that must be kept in mind while structuring and negotiating such transactions, and provide practical tips on how best to handle these issues, and mitigate client risks.
Thursday, 2–3:30 p.m., CJ Law Hall, B1F Conference Libertas Hall
“The Role of Innovation and Technology in Competition Law and Enforcement in East Asia”– This panel of senior enforcers, leading scholars and expert practitioners will explore how the global economy is transformed by new technologies and innovations, resulting in new thinking and presenting new challenges to competition law and its enforcement. These challenges have potentially major implications for cartel investigations, competition analysis in merger review and even the very language of competition laws. China and South Korea are studying potential major revisions to their competition laws and enforcement regimes while Japan has recently substantially restructured its competition law regime.
Friday, 9–10:30 a.m., CJ Law Hall, B1F Conference Libertas Hall
“How U.S. Tax Changes Will Affect U.S.-Asian Transfers of Investment and Technology” —The U.S. tax law in 2018 dramatically changed the U.S. taxation of foreign investors in U.S. businesses and of foreign technology companies with U.S. subsidiaries. Likewise, it dramatically changed the U.S. taxation of U.S. investors in foreign businesses and of U.S. technology companies with foreign subsidiaries. Panelists will review these 2018 U.S. tax changes, and how they are likely to change the flows of investment and multinationals’ spending on developing technology between the U.S. and Asia.
Friday, 2-3:30 p.m., CJ Law Hall, B1F Veritas Conference Hall
For a preliminary list of programs and speakers please click here.
MEDIA: Media must pre-register to cover this event and should contact Bill Choyke at 202-662-1864 or bill.choyke@americanbar.org.
Founded in 1933, the ABA Section of International Law is a leader in the development of legal policy in the international arena, the promotion of the rule of law and the education of international law practitioners. It is the only ABA entity that focuses on the full range of international legal issues and is involved in a wide variety of substantive legal activities.
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