The total amount of fines the government collected hit a record high last year mainly due to its tough response to unfair corporate practices, data showed.

According to a report from the Finance Ministry, which was submitted to opposition lawmaker Choi Jae-sung, the government collected fines amounting to 3.2 trillion won ($2.86 billion) in 2014, up 12.9 percent from the previous year.

In particular, fines from tax dodgers and traffic violators tripled over four years to 949.1 billion won, with those imposed on unfairly earned profits topping 740 billion won.

In addition, large sums were collected from builders accused of collusion on major infrastructure projects, including the controversial four-river development project.