#Japan #Tokyo #legal services #TMI Law Firm #Korean National Library

TMI Law Firm and Korean National Library Establish Pioneering MOU

On April 8, 2026, TMI Comprehensive Law Firm, located in Minato Ward, Tokyo, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korean National Library, led by director Hwang Jung-keun in Seoul. This landmark agreement marks the first collaboration between a Japanese law firm and a national library in Korea, aimed at enhancing the use of academic legal resources. The initiative is set to promote the utilization of the Korean National Library's legal materials and digital library services, enabling TMI to offer sophisticated legal services in complex intellectual property disputes and cross-border matters using Korea's latest public resources.

Background and Purpose of the Agreement

In recent years, as more companies expand globally, the demand for legal expertise rooted in respective countries' legal systems and current academic discussions has grown tremendously. By aligning with the premier intellectual resource center in Korea, TMI aims to enhance its legal research capabilities, enabling quicker and more precise responses to increasingly complex international legal cases.

The MOU signifies a collaboration where TMI, equipped with extensive experience in intellectual property law and a network across 19 global offices, partners with the Korean National Library to leverage valuable information and knowledge resources it possesses.

Key Areas of Collaboration

Under this agreement, a framework for cooperation is being established that includes:

• - Access to the Korean National Library's Digital Collection: TMI will obtain access to digitalized academic materials, case law, and scholarly articles housed within the library.
• - Human Exchange Initiatives: The agreement will facilitate exchanges of practical insights from TMI's international practice with the theoretical foundations of legal knowledge held by the library, contributing to the development of legal scholarship in both Japan and Korea.

Specific details on how these cooperative efforts will be implemented are scheduled to be discussed and finalized by both parties.

Comments from Key Figures

Lee Jun-hee, Counsel at TMI Law Firm, remarked, "We are truly honored to have signed a landmark MOU with the Korean National Library. This agreement allows us free access to a vast array of digital academic resources, further boosting our research capabilities related to Korean law. It also presents a valuable opportunity for enhancing legal information exchange and development between Korea and Japan."

Director Hwang Jung-keun of the Korean National Library commented, "This agreement is part of our initiative to develop a global knowledge ecosystem centered around our intelligent platform, the National Assembly AI Library. We expect this will enhance international access to Korean public knowledge information and foster increased collaborative research in the legal and academic fields between our two nations. I hope that the exchange of legal information will expand and contribute to mutual development continually."

Overview of the Signing Ceremony

• - Date: April 8, 2026 (Wednesday)
• - Venue: TMI Comprehensive Law Firm, Tokyo Office
• - Attendees:

- From the Korean National Library: Director Hwang Jung-keun, Secretary for Planning Choi Sang-han, Overseas Information Officer Lee Seung-joo, Data Fusion Analyst Park Su-in.
- From TMI Law Firm: Representative Attorney Tanaka Katsuro, Partner Attorney Ito Ryosuke, Counsel Lee Jun-hee.

About TMI Comprehensive Law Firm

Founded in 1990, TMI Law Firm is among the largest legal firms in Japan, located in Minato Ward, Tokyo, with a team comprising 723 experienced attorneys and 101 patent attorneys as of April 6, 2026. With approximately 1,400 members, including staff, the firm operates from eight domestic and 19 international locations, providing comprehensive legal services tailored to the needs of businesses, organizations, and communities. TMI has consistently embraced innovative challenges since its inception, securing partnerships with various entities and exploring new legal paradigms to meet diverse client needs promptly.

For more information: TMI Law Firm Website