Joo Yeon Jo
PartnerIntroduction
Mr. Joo Yeon Jo is a partner at Shin & Kim and focuses his practice on corporate investigations and white collar crime, corporate and financial institution compliance such as anti-corruption (FCPA) and anti-money laundering (FATF), cross-border criminal matters such as extradition and offshore money tracing, financial regulatory (pre-)investigation defense, and investigation defense for violations of the Capital Markets Act.
During his 21 years as a public prosecutor, Mr. Joo has handled cases in special investigation divisions focusing on corporate and financial investigations (i.e. Chief of Special Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Special Divisions 1 and 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Special Division of the Busan District Prosecutors' Office, Special Division of the Ulsan District Prosecutors' Office, Special Investigation Team of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office). He has also worked in the transnational criminal division dealing with extradition and international criminal justice cooperation (i.e., International Criminal Affairs Division of the Ministry of Justice, Office of the International Cooperation Officer of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, Legal Attaché at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of Austria for UNODC, and received a blue belt in extradition and criminal justice cooperation).
In addition, Mr. Joo has unparalleled experience in the investigation of embezzlement, misappropriation, accounting fraud, bribery, etc. of major Korean conglomerates, the extradition of major suspects such as those involved in the Sewol ferry disaster, the joint investigation with U.S. DOJ federal prosecutors to recover funds of a former president, and leading UN anti-corruption conventions and FATF meetings, and has expertise in domestic and international criminal matters for Korean and multinational corporations.
Areas of Expertise
Professional Career
- 2025-PresentShin & Kim LLC
- 2024.6-2025.2Head of the Insolvency Liability Investigation Division, Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation
- 2023.9-2024.6Chief of Branch, Pohang Branch Office, Daegu District Prosecutors’ Office
- 2022.7-2023.9International Cooperation Officer, Supreme Prosecutors' Office (2022.9-2023.7, Dispatched to Suwon District Prosecutors' Office as head of the Ssangbangwool Group Corruption Investigation Team)
- 2021.7-2022.7Chief of the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2, Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office
- 2020.9-2021.7Chief of Branch, Jeong-eup Branch Office, Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office
- 2020.2-2020.9Deputy Chief Prosecutor, Criminal Division 3, Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Commanding the Anti-Corruption Investigation Team of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency)
- 2017.9-2020.2Legal Attaché, Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of Austria (2019.5-2019.7, Dispatched to the Intergovernmental Response Team for the Danube Boat Collision)
- 2015.2-2017.9Prosecutor, Special Crimes Division 2, Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office
- 2012.2-2015.2International Criminal Affairs Division, Ministry of Justice Prosecutors' Office
- 2010.8-2012.2Obtained LL.M. (Financial Law), George Washington University, U.S.A. and internship with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Maryland, U.S.A. (2011) Admitted to the Illinois State Bar
- 2008.2-2010.8Prosecutor, Special Division, Ulsan District Public Prosecutors' Office(2008.8-2008.12, Dispatched to Special Division 1, Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office)
- 2006.2-2008.2Pyeongtaek Branch, Suwon District Prosecutors' Office
- 2004.2-2006.2Busan District Prosecutors' Office (Criminal Division 1, Public Trial Division, Violent Crimes Division, Special Crimes Division)
- 2002-2004Judicial Research & Training Institute of the Supreme Court of Korea
Education
- 2011George Washington University Law School (LL.M.)
- 1999Seoul National University, Department of Political Science and International Relations
Qualifications
- 2011Admitted to bar, Illinois
- 2004Admitted to bar, Korea
Languages
Korean, English
Professional Activities
- Fiduciary duties and Wrongdoings of banking directors (2011, LL.M. Thesis)
- A Study of the Consent Order System in U.S. Antitrust Law (2012, Exchange Program Prosecutor's Thesis)
Media
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Press Releases Quarterly Focus: South Korea makes anti-corruption strides
2025.11.13 -
2025.04.14