From Defaults to Speeding... Joo Byungki Fined 14 Times for Speeding, Including in School Zones

Assemblyman Kang: "Lack of Respect for the Law"
Nominee Joo Byungki Fined 14 Times for Speeding, Including in School Zones
Repeated Defaults on Fines and Property Taxes Also Revealed

Joo Byungki, the nominee for chairman of the Fair Trade Commission, has reportedly received fines for a total of 14 speeding violations since 2019, including exceeding the speed limit in a child protection zone (school zone).

Joo Byungki, the nominee for chairman of the Fair Trade Commission, is expressing his appointment impressions on the 14th as he arrives at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul, where his personnel hearing preparation office is located. Photo by Yonhap News

According to confirmation hearing documents submitted by Assemblyman Kang Minguk of the People Power Party on August 31, Joo was fined for violating traffic laws (speeding) a total of 14 times: once in 2019, once in 2021, seven times in 2022, twice in 2023, and three times in 2024.

On September 30, 2022, he was fined for exceeding the speed limit in a school zone in front of Seoul Inheon Elementary School, which is designated as a child protection area.

In addition, it was confirmed that he violated speed limits four more times in other areas requiring extra caution, such as the school zone across from Seoul Inheon Elementary School, in front of a daycare center in Sejong City, and in front of Gwacheon Children's Traffic Park.

Notably, Joo also failed to pay some speeding fines for more than three years. For example, a speeding fine issued in May 2019 for a violation in March 2019 was not paid until November 2022, three years and six months later, resulting in an additional penalty of about 1.5 times the original amount.

Previously, it was also revealed that Joo had repeatedly defaulted on various fines and property taxes, leading to multiple seizures of his vehicles and house.

Assemblyman Kang stated, "Joo Byungki's repeated violations, from habitual defaults to habitual speeding, continue to reveal his disregard for the law," adding, "Appointing a candidate so lacking in respect for the law as chairman of the Fair Trade Commission is like putting a cat in charge of a fish."