Licensing conversations in Seoul — a recap of LESI YMC APAC 2026

On 24 October 2026, the LESI YMC Asia-Pacific Conference brought practitioners together at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building in Seoul. This year’s theme was “Navigating the Next Generation of IP Licensing: Tech, Data & Culture”, connecting conversations across different markets and industries.

Meeting colleagues in Seoul

The day began at the registration desk and in conversations before the opening. Participants met new colleagues and caught up with familiar faces. Our Managing Partner Seungyeob Baik contributed as Korea Lead to the programme and local preparations, supported by members of the Near & Wise IP team. Helping welcome colleagues to Seoul made the occasion especially meaningful for our team. We were also joined by Ningling Wang, President of LES International, and Mattia Dalla Costa, LESI International President Elect for the 2028–2029 term. We were delighted to welcome President Kim of LES Korea as a VIP guest. We are grateful to them and to everyone who joined us in Seoul.

We are also deeply grateful to the five volunteers who took such an active part in making the event happen.

A special thank you goes to our colleagues Patent Attorney Taeweon Lyu and Soojin Yang. Alongside their busy day-to-day work, they helped prepare and run this major event. Words cannot fully express our gratitude to them. We are proud of our Near & Wise IP team: people who give their best to everything they take on and see it through to the end.

Welcoming President Kim of LES Korea, who joined the conference as a VIP guest

Opening remarks by Anna Toh of Singapore, LESI YMC Vice-Chair for Asia

Remarks by Ningling Wang, President of LES International

Greetings and conversations in the conference room before the opening

Continuing conversations with colleagues at the venue

Participants gathered in the conference room

Participants getting to know one another

Participants exchanging ideas between sessions

Four panels, different perspectives on licensing

The programme covered Protecting & Monetizing IP, Licensing in the Entertainment Industry, SEP Licensing, and Licensing in the Biotech & Medtech Industries. Presentations and exchanges among panellists were accompanied by questions from the audience. The photographs below bring together all four panels, individual contributions and participants engaging from their seats.

The first panel on protecting and monetising IP

Speakers exchanging views during the first panel

A contribution to the panel on protecting and monetising IP

A presentation on licensing in the entertainment industry

Presentations and discussion during the entertainment panel

The panel on licensing in the biotech and medtech industries

An exchange of views during the biotech and medtech panel

Jay Lee speaking during the biotech and medtech panel

An audience question continuing the discussion

A participant asking a question from the audience

Group photograph of the organising committee and volunteers

Closing Remarks by Mattia Dalla Costa, LESI International President Elect for the 2028–2029 term

Connections beyond the sessions

The conversations continued over lunch and at the evening reception. Sharing a table and meeting colleagues while mingling were also part of the day. Thank you to the participants who came to Seoul, the speakers and moderators, the colleagues who helped prepare and run the event, and everyone who supported it. We look forward to continuing the conversations and collaborations begun here.

Participants together at a reception table

The Near & Wise IP team, who served on the organising committee, sharing a well-earned beer after the event

A conversation while mingling at the reception

Outside the National Assembly at night — with thanks to Patent Attorney Taeweon Lyu and Soojin Yang for their outstanding work preparing and running the event

This recap covers the LESI YMC Asia-Pacific Conference held on 24 October.