Seminar covers accounting rule changes, tax probe risks and AI adoption

for about 100 executives of Japan-based companies operating in Korea

Samjong KPMG holds a seminar for representatives of Japanese companies operating in Korea at Posco Tower Yeoksam in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on Wednesday. [Samjong KPMG]
Samjong KPMG holds a seminar for representatives of Japanese companies operating in Korea at Posco Tower Yeoksam in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on Wednesday. [Samjong KPMG]

Samjong KPMG announced Thursday that it held an accounting, tax and management advisory seminar on Wednesday at Posco Tower Yeoksam in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, for representatives of Japanese companies operating in Korea.

The seminar was designed to help Japanese firms proactively navigate major regulatory changes in accounting, taxation and tariffs amid shifting business conditions at home and abroad, while also exploring ways to improve operational efficiency through AI.

About 100 executives and staff from Japanese companies attended. Topics covered included accounting rule revisions in both Korea and Japan, tax audits and transfer pricing, the global minimum tax, key tax law amendments this year, customs audit trends and new regulations, and AI-driven workflow improvements.

The audit session opened with presentations by Executive Director Jung Chang-gil, Director Kim Sung-wook and Director Hong Se-hwa on recent accounting standard changes in the two countries and their implications for financial reporting and management.

The tax advisory session focused on tax issues that Japanese firms must watch when conducting business in Korea. Executive Director Hwang Ha-na outlined key areas of scrutiny in recent tax audits and strategies for managing tax risk, while Executive Director Park Su-jung addressed critical transfer-pricing issues and how to respond to tax investigations. Executive Director Baek Cheon-wook presented a checklist of items companies should review in advance, drawing on global minimum tax filing requirements and major proposed tax law changes for 2026.

In the customs session, Executive Director Kim Min-cheol spoke on recent customs audit trends and new regulations, explaining the direction of customs administration and offering practical guidance on tariff risks that can arise during the import and export operations of Japanese companies.

Executive Director Park Chang-nam closed the program with a presentation on using AI to improve workplace efficiency. Park shared approaches to automating repetitive tasks and enhancing data utilization by integrating AI into accounting, finance and management operations, and introduced solutions for applying AI to internal accounting control systems — drawing an enthusiastic response from attendees.

"Japanese companies operating in Korea must respond swiftly not only to changes in accounting, tax and customs regimes, but also to the shifting work environment driven by technological advances such as AI," Jung said. "We hope this seminar gives companies an opportunity to grasp key regulatory changes and business challenges, and to develop practical responses."

Meanwhile, Samjong KPMG, which closes its books in March, posted operating revenue of 905.6 billion won ($676 million) for the current fiscal year running April 2025 through March 2026 — a roughly 3.4 percent increase from the previous year — crossing the 900 billion won threshold for the first time.


an@heraldcorp.com