Taylor Wessing has made its first move into the Korean market after forming an association with local firm DR & AJU.

The agreement gives Taylor Wessing access to DR & AJU's 120 lawyers and 18 partners. The Seoul-based firm, which also has offices in Russia, Kazakhstan and Singapore, was established in 1994.

Taylor Wessing UK managing partner Tim Eyles said the move was prompted by Korea's increasing prominence in the technology and knowledge-based sectors.

Eyles said: "Asia as a whole is one of the world's most dynamic regions, and Korea is an increasingly important jurisdiction with a mature economy that is only going to grow.

"It has a global reputation for being at the forefront of thriving sectors such as technology and knowledge-based industries, which align with our own focus on the industries of tomorrow."

The move is the latest in a string of alliance and co-operation agreements drawn up by Taylor Wessing in the Southeast Asian markets.

Taylor Wessing's Singapore member firm RHT Law Taylor Wessing formed an exclusive alliance with Vietnamese outfit PBC Partners in February, giving it access to two offices and 22 lawyers in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

Taylor Wessing has long outlined plans for expansion in Asia, with an office opening in Hong Kong high on the agenda. Existing offices in the region include Shanghai and Beijing.