Herbert Smith Freehills is set to relocate two partners to South Korea next year as the firm becomes the latest international law firm to receive approval to practise in Seoul.

City dispute resolution and construction partner Tony Dymond and Singapore corporate partner Lewis McDonald will relocate to the country with four associates from across the firm's network when the new office opens in early 2013, with Dymond to lead the office.

The news comes after Dymond received the Foreign Legal Consultant (FLC) licence in recent weeks, allowing the firm to now apply for a Foreign Legal Consultant Office (FLCO) certificate. McDonald and the associates are expected to be given approval shortly.

The news marks the latest UK FLC license to be granted by the local Ministry of Justice – the final regulatory approval needed for US and European firms to open in South Korea.

Clifford Chance Beijing energy and infrastructure counsel Brian Cassidy was granted the licence this summer, with the magic circle firm also planning to transfer its Korea practice head Hyun Kim from Hong Kong to the new office opened in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, McDermott Will & Emery, Paul Hastings and Squire Sanders were also given the go-ahead to open in the country last month.

The approvals, which brought the number of licences awarded at that point to nine, highlight the growing importance of Asia's fourth largest economy, and its potential for firms working in the litigation, corporate and intellectual property sectors particularly.

The news comes after Herbert Smith announced plans last week to launch in Guinea in the New Year.

The office in the capital of Conakry will be headed up by projects partner Bertrand Montembault, who is currently based in Paris, alongside senior associate Salimatou Diallo. The base will mainly focus on corporate and projects work.

Herbert Smith has rapidly grown its international footprint over the last year, launching an office in New York last month and merging with Australia's Freehills on 1 October.

For more, see Herbert Smith Freehills to enter Africa with Guinea launch next year.