CEO Insights Magazine

At a time when international arbitration was still finding its footing in the legal landscape, a law professional from Seoul broke the glass ceiling and orchestrated the creation of the frameworks on which some of the most sophisticated and high-stakes cross-border cases in the Asian region would eventually run. The legacy of Bokyeong Park, the Managing Director of Peter & Kim (Asia), is the technical work in the background, shaping internal protocols, systems of operations, as well as the support systems, which saw the arbitration teams fly high around the world. Peter & Kim is a globally leading law firm specializing in international arbitration and cross-border disputes, with offices in Geneva, Perth, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, and Zurich. Having spent more than 20 years in the industry and having advanced knowledge of cross-cultural engagement of clients, she continues to shape the strategic direction of the firm with the same focus, foresight, and global mindset that marked her earliest contributions.

Bokyeong began her legal journey in 2003 as an administrative member of the first international arbitration team at Bae, Kim & Lee. Her early contributions to creating efficient internal systems and supporting lawyers in handling complex cross-border cases laid the groundwork for what became one of the most respected arbitration practices in the region. In 2019, she joined Kevin Kim in co-founding Peter & Kim, a law firm specializing in international arbitration and cross-border disputes, where she drew on her prior experience to design and implement the firm’s operational foundations and distinctive identity. Bokyeong fosters a leadership style defined by adaptability, strategic foresight, and a global perspective. Her career has been marked by deep engagement with case and client management across diverse cultural and regulatory environments, reinforcing her ability to anticipate client needs, build forward-looking legal services, and guide the firm’s long-term institutional growth with insight and agility. Today, Bokyeong is recognized as one of the moving spirits transforming the firm into a global leader. Below is an excerpt from CEO Insights’ exclusive interview with Bokyeong, in which she talks about her journey, leadership, and vision for the future.

How are you using your experience to drive the company’s growth and direction?

My experience has enabled me to think strategically about differentiating our firm in a highly competitive market, serving leading multinational corporations and government institutions. I have led initiatives to enhance client satisfaction by fostering a service-oriented culture, improving our office environment, and developing client-branded materials. These efforts contributed to our consistent high rankings in platforms like the Global Arbitration Review and earned the Korean Consumer Satisfaction Award for three consecutive years (2023-2025). I also prioritize open communication across all levels to ensure alignment, allowing us to continuously refine our systems, strengthen our brand, and build a sustainable growth framework.

How do you ensure the firm embraces the latest technology to stay ahead as a legal advisory firm in the digital era?

The modern legal environment is no exception, and the need to become innovative and embrace emerging technologies is becoming necessary. At Peter & Kim, I have been actively driving the adoption of advanced tools to enhance efficiency and deliver greater value to our clients. Our initiatives include implementing AI-powered legal research platforms to accelerate case analysis and enable lawyers to focus on deeper legal strategies, as well as establishing cloud-based collaboration systems to provide secure and flexible access to documents across jurisdictions. We also foster cross-border teamwork by partnering with legal tech startups to stay ahead of emerging trends and explore promising solutions. Additionally, we organize regular technology training sessions and workshops to ensure that all team members can confidently integrate these tools into their daily work. My task is to make sure that the process of innovation is not only introduced but effectively adopted, which can be achieved through creating a culture that will embrace learning, flexibility, and continuous development.

How do you mentor your team to align their practice with each client’s industry-specific needs?

I believe adapting our advocacy to each client’s legal culture and expectations is essential for effective service. We emphasize tailored strategies by thoroughly understanding each client’s business model, industry, and internal culture, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach. To support this, we promote cultural awareness through regular training, especially for cross-border matters, ensuring clear communication. Additionally, we actively seek client feedback to continuously refine our strategies. For example, with public sector clients, we tailor our deliverables to their reporting preferences and use industry-specific terminology to ensure clarity and alignment.

How do you promote a diverse and inclusive culture that supports each team member’s growth?

In our firm, across the offices in Geneva, Perth, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney, and Zurich, we believe that diversity is one of our greatest resources irrespective of gender, nationality or background. We are committed to creating an environment where individuals can grow by maximizing their strengths rather than focusing solely on weaknesses. The priority remains helping each team member achieve meaningful goals. Empathy and understanding are especially important in our international dispute resolution practice, where colleagues from diverse nationalities collaborate closely. To support this, we actively foster a warm, inclusive culture that respects differences and encourages learning from one another for example, I have personally gained valuable insights from our Indian lawyers about India and its culture. I also ensure that I hold regular, one-on-one meetings with team members to talk about career development targets and identify them with the opportunities that help them grow and ach3ieve the overall success of the firm.

What initiatives are you implementing to ensure that all company operations align with environmental and social welfare goals?

As a responsible corporate citizen, I believe that environmental protection and sustainability are core values of our firm. To minimize our environmental impact, we have implemented several internal initiatives, including promoting a paperless office, adopting energy-efficient practices, encouraging recycling, and observing a "Green Resource Month" to raise awareness. We have also transitioned to energy-efficient office operations, such as using motion-sensor lighting and energy-saving equipment. On the social front, we actively engage in community initiatives, including pro bono work and collaborations with environmental non-profit organizations, to strengthen our contribution to environmental and social welfare. We are committed to continuously improving our practices to align our operations with broader sustainability goals.

What roadmap have you envisioned for yourself over the next five years?

My vision is for our firm to become a global leader in shaping the future of legal services. One aspect of achieving this is prioritizing digital transformation by integrating AI and big data to enhance efficiency and deliver value-driven solutions. We are also strengthening our expertise in key sectors like nuclear energy, IT, biotech, and clean energy, while also preparing for emerging areas such as ESG. Our plans include expanding into new markets like Thailand, Vietnam, and India, building cross-border capabilities through strategic alliances, and attracting global talent. We are also committed to developing top-tier professionals and fostering an inclusive, dynamic work culture to ensure sustainable growth and exceptional client value in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.

Bokyeong Park, Managing Director, Peter & Kim

With more than two decades of experience, Bokyeong’s operational insight and leadership have been pivotal in shaping the growth and global positioning of Peter & Kim in the field of international arbitration.

Hobbies: Reading and watching animation

Favorite Cuisine: Korean

Favorite Book: The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

Favorite Travel Destination: Switzerland

Awards & Recognition:

Award in the Legal Services category for three consecutive years (Consumer Satisfaction, 2023-2025)

Ranked 26th globally in 2025 (Global Arbitration Review)