Mr. Soon-Moo So is Senior Advisor at Gaon Law Firm, joined the firm in 2022 after serving over 20 years as a judge at various courts, including the Seoul District Court, and later working at Yulchon LLC. Dr. So, who holds a Ph.D. in Tax Law, previously led the Tax Research Team at the Supreme Court and has authored several publications on tax litigation, establishing himself as a leading expert in the field. Based on his extensive judicial and professional experience, he continues to make significant contributions to Gaon. He was selected by The Chosun Ilbo in 2007 as one of “Korea’s 12 Leading Lawyers – Tax,” and has been recognized as a Leading Lawyer by Chambers Asia-Pacific and asialaw. Dr. So has also led numerous landmark cases, including a Supreme Court en banc decision that recognized the dispositional nature of income variation notices, setting a major precedent in Korean tax law.
Beyond his legal practice, Dr. So has actively engaged in public service as a member of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission and as a Vice President of the Korean Bar Association. For his contributions to the legal profession and public service, he was awarded the Mugunghwa Order of Civil Merit on Law Day 2021.
Dr. So currently serves as President of the Korea Guardianship Association, where he is dedicated to advancing and institutionalizing the nation’s guardianship system.