Kyusung Lee Attorney at Law

As international trade becomes routine, English-language Supply Agreements are now a standard part of doing business with overseas partners.

Yet in practice, I regularly advise clients who signed English contracts without adequate review — only to find themselves embroiled in unexpected, costly disputes.

Why English Supply Agreements Carry Greater Risk

The risk is not simply that the contract is written in English. Most English contracts are drafted under common law frameworks — U.S. or U.K. law — which operate fundamentally differently from Korean contract law.

A single word or phrase can determine the entire scope of liability and the scale of damages.

Supply agreements are particularly high-stakes: they involve long durations and repeated performance obligations. An unfavorable structure entered into at the outset can accumulate into significant losses over years.

Critical Clauses to Examine in Every Supply Agreement

Supply Agreement Review Checklist

Delivery & Delay Liability: Does late delivery automatically trigger penalties or termination rights?Limitation of Liability: Is there a cap on damages, or is exposure unlimited?Force Majeure: Are the carve-outs balanced, or do they favor one party?Termination Rights: Can the counterparty exit easily while your exit is restricted?Dispute Resolution: Is governing law, jurisdiction, or arbitration tied to a foreign forum unfavorable to you?

⚠ These clauses often appear neutral on the surface. In actual disputes, however, they frequently operate to the exclusive advantage of one party — usually the party that drafted the contract.

Contract Review Is Dispute Prevention — Not Just Translation

The goal of reviewing an English contract is not to produce a Korean translation. What matters is: how will this clause be interpreted when a dispute arises, and what risks does this structure create for my client?

Attorney Lee’s 3-Step Contract Review Approach

① Analyze each clause by simulating realistic dispute scenarios② Identify provisions that disproportionately favor the counterparty③ Propose revised language and negotiation arguments to rebalance the agreement

Why Attorney Lee Is Uniquely Qualified

My ability to review English contracts at this level is grounded in both language fluency and substantive international legal experience.

🎓 Attorney Kyusung Lee — Professional Background

The Hotchkiss School (U.S.) and Brown University graduate — extensive English-language academic backgroundSamsung Group Legal Team — directly handled international contracts and global projectsRepresentative Attorney, Law Firm Osung PartnersPartner Attorney, Law Firm WionCurrently: Independent practice specializing in startups, foreign investment, and international contracts

Based on this background, I approach English contracts not as language documents, but as risk architecture — and I review them accordingly.

⚠ Once an English contract is signed, ‘I didn’t understand it’ is not a legal defense. A single review before signing can prevent years of litigation and substantial financial loss. Even if negotiations are already underway, there is almost always room to revisit and improve the terms.

If you are about to sign an English Supply Agreement, a long-term contract with a foreign company, or any international trade agreement — please have it reviewed by a specialist before you sign.

I read contracts line by line from my client’s perspective, and help structure the safest and most commercially sound outcome.

📞 Request a Legal Consultation

Attorney Kyusung Lee | Law Firm +82 2 6264 7604 kyusungii@gmail.com ✉  kyusunglee.com | blog.naver.com/hotchkiss777 Korean Bar Association Registered | Startup · Foreign Investment · International Contract Affordable Legal Retainer Program available — Startups, Mid-size & Venture Companies welcome

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