▲ May H. Kim, Managing Partner of Suhn Law Group (front row, center), poses for a commemorative photo with Byun Jae-young, President of Ulsan Port Authority, and UPA executives immediately following her inauguration ceremony as Auditor. Photo courtesy of Ulsan Port Authority.

A leading expert in corporate compliance and internal controls, expected to strengthen transparency and ethical governance in the public sector

May H. Kim, Managing Partner of Suhn Law Group, officially assumed office as Auditor of the Ulsan Port Authority on April 13, 2026.

The Ulsan Port Authority (UPA) is a public institution established under Korea’s Port Authority Act and operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. The organization is responsible for the development, management, and operation of Ulsan Port, playing a critical role in enhancing Korea’s national logistics competitiveness while supporting efficient port operations, safety management, environmentally sustainable port development, and the advancement of the shipping and logistics industries. In particular, Ulsan Port serves as Korea’s largest liquid cargo handling port and a globally significant hub for energy and petrochemical logistics, making it a strategically important pillar of the national economy.

The position of Auditor at the Ulsan Port Authority is a key independent oversight role within the institution, responsible for auditing organizational operations and financial activities, reviewing internal control systems, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, preventing corruption, promoting integrity, and strengthening transparency across overall management operations.

The Auditor also plays an essential supervisory role by identifying operational risks in advance and maintaining checks and balances that ensure fair, accountable, and responsible governance through the institution’s internal audit functions. This position is widely regarded as critical to enhancing both the credibility and accountability of public institutions.

Attorney May H. Kim is widely recognized as a leading expert in corporate law, compliance, internal investigations, and regulatory response strategy, with extensive experience advising both private and public sector organizations.

She currently serves as Managing Partner of Suhn Law Group, and previously worked as an attorney at Yulchon LLC, served as Chief Legal and Compliance Officer and Executive Vice President at Pernod Ricard Korea, and held the position of Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) overseeing seven Johnson & Johnson affiliated companies in Korea.

Throughout her career, she has led regulatory investigation and enforcement response matters involving numerous government and regulatory agencies, including the Labor Relations Commission, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA), the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS), the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and the Korea Communications Commission.

She has also advised major corporations and public institutions on a wide range of matters, including internal control system design, compliance program development, internal investigations and digital forensics, personal data protection, and cybersecurity governance projects.

Kim is admitted to practice law both in South Korea and in the State of California, United States, reflecting her internationally recognized legal expertise.

Her professional achievements include being shortlisted for the 2022 Inhouse Awards – Women In-House Lawyer of the Year, serving as a judge for the 2023 APAC Outstanding Women Lawyers Awards, and acting as moderator for the Cybersecurity Session at the 2024 World Knowledge Forum, further establishing her reputation both domestically and internationally.

As Auditor of the Ulsan Port Authority, May H. Kim is expected to carry out independent audit responsibilities grounded firmly in law and institutional principles, while contributing to the advancement of internal control systems, strengthening ethical and compliance-based governance, improving enterprise-wide risk management systems, and promoting a culture of integrity throughout the organization.

Drawing on years of compliance leadership and risk management experience accumulated across major domestic and global corporations, she is expected to play a significant role in elevating standards of transparent governance and accountable management within Korea’s public institutions.