Stephenson Harwood has hired DLA Piper's Seoul office head Michael Kim with a view to opening in South Korea.

Kim, who specialises in shipping, ship finance, ship building, offshore and general commercial litigation and arbitration matters, has a strong reputation in the Korean market having previously led DLA's practice there.

He joined DLA in 2004 having previously been deputy head of Richards Butler's Korea group.

He moved from London to Seoul with DLA in time for its opening in January last year.

Kim will join Stephenson Harwood's marine and international trade practice in London on March 17, but will be moving back to Korea once the firm gets the go-ahead from the local Ministry of Justice.

It plans to submit an application during the course of 2014, in the hopes of opening as soon as possible.

"As the world's twelfth largest economy and one of the largest in Asia, Korea is a key market for Stephenson Harwood," said Sharon White, CEO of the UK outfit.

"Michael's appointment further strengthens our Korea practice and provides us with the opportunity to apply for a licence for an office in Korea, and in doing so, extends our Asia network."

Stephenson Harwood's existing Korea practice includes shipping litigation partner Sean Gibbons, shipping finance partner Mike Philips, shipping and energy partner Stuart Beadnall and ship finance partner Gregg Johnston.

Between Kim and the other partners, the firm will act for some of the largest conglomerates across shipping, ship building, ship finance work, banking, and trade sectors, such as Export-Import Bank of Korea, STX Corporation, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) and Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM).

Stephenson Harwood currently five has offices in Asia and three associations.

Offices include Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Singapore, whilst the firm has a tie up with Virtus Law in Singapore, U Tin Yu & Associates in Myanmar and Christian Teo Purwono & Partners in Indonesia.

It is among a string of UK firms looking to open in South Korea this year.