Taxpayersโ Association files criminal complaint against tax officials and journalist over leak of Cha Eunwooโs tax information
"The Korea Taxpayersโ Association, a civic organization focused on tax justice, has filed a criminal complaint with the police against unidentified tax officials and the journalist who first reported the matter, in connection with the leak of information regarding singer and actor Cha Eunwoo and the fact that the National Tax Service imposed additional taxes totaling approximately 20 billion won.
The Association announced on the 10th that it submitted a complaint to the National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency against an unidentified tax official and the journalist in question on charges of violating the Personal Information Protection Act and unlawful disclosure of official secrets under the Criminal Act.
In its complaint, the Association pointed out that โArticle 81-13 of the Framework Act on National Taxes (Duty of Confidentiality) strictly prohibits tax officials from providing, disclosing, or using tax information for purposes other than those intended, in order to protect taxpayersโ rights.โ It further explained that โArticle 71 of the Personal Information Protection Act stipulates that anyone who discloses personal information obtained in the course of their duties, provides it without authorization, or receives such information for profit or improper purposes while being aware of the circumstances, may be punished by up to five yearsโ imprisonment or a fine of up to 50 million won. Likewise, Article 127 of the Criminal Act provides for criminal punishment when a public official discloses confidential information obtained in the course of their duties.โ
The Association stated, โBy unlawfully leaking specific tax assessment information related to Cha Eunwooโs tax audit, the accused parties infringed upon the confidentiality principles guaranteed by the Framework Act on National Taxes and violated the taxpayerโs rights.โ It added, โSince detailed information regarding the additional tax assessment and the circumstances of the investigation is information that only tax officials involved in the audit or managers in the approval chain could know, there is a very high likelihood that this case involves an internal leak of tax information.โ
The Association continued, saying, โSuch information leaks are a serious matter that can cause irreparable harm to the individual concerned,โ and called for a thorough investigation.
Regarding the filing of the complaint, the Association emphasized, โThis is not intended to defend or protect a specific individual, but to establish social trust that โtax information is securely protected under all circumstances.โโ It added, โProtecting tax information is the foundation of the tax system and a core element that sustains the communityโ.
Attorney Lee Kyung-hwan, who represents the complainant, said, โCha Eunwoo is also a citizen of the Republic of Korea and a taxpayer, and therefore the taxpayer rights stipulated in the Framework Act on National Taxes and the constitutional principle of presumption of innocence must apply equally to him.โ He added, โThe law must be enforced equally regardless of whether someone is a celebrity, and it is not desirable for tax information to be leaked and for social stigma to be imposed simply because a person is well-known.โ
Chairman Kim Sun-taek stated, โThe NTS is an institution that holds a vast amount of extremely sensitive personal information, including citizensโ income, assets, medical expenses, charitable donations, and credit card usage, as well as tax audit information.โ He pointed out, โIf such information is being managed carelessly, it is a very serious problem.โ He continued, โThe National Tax Service must actively cooperate with this investigation to restore public trust in the protection of tax informationโ." https://n.news.naver.com/article/016/0002598653
Some have claimed that โCha Eunwoo could face jail time,โ but the National Tax Service (NTS) does not accept โpre-assessment reviewโ requests for tax offenders. Without an NTS report under its exclusive right to prosecute, punishment is difficult. Claims that the NTS gave Cha Eunwoo special treatment are also inaccurate.
As allegations of Cha Eunwooโs alleged tax evasion amounting to around 20 billion won surfaced, numerous speculations and misunderstandings have emerged.
To address claims that Cha could face criminal punishment, the answer is ๐ก๐ข. A key reason is that the NTS accepted Chaโs request for a โpre-assessment review.โ This review allows taxpayers to request an examination of the appropriateness of taxation before a formal tax notice is issued.
A tax industry official told Edaily on the 30th: โIf the NTS had determined through its audit that Cha was a tax offender, he would not be eligible for a pre-assessment review. Since Chaโs review is ongoing, the NTS does not view this as a case to report to prosecutors as a tax offense.โ He added, โThe NTS only reports cases to prosecutors when the evasion methods, such as fraud or double bookkeeping, are severely illegal and maliciousโ[...].
This controversy arose from Edailyโs January 22 report, โCha Eunwoo suspected of tax evasion through โmotherโs companyโ, 20 billion won reassessment.โ The report mentioned, โThe NTS reportedly waited to send the tax audit results notice until after Chaโs military enlistment, following his request.โ
However, according to tax industry sources, ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ก๐ง๐ฆ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฑ ๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐ด๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฎ ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐. Chaโs audit began last spring and proceeded over the usual period of about four months, finishing before his scheduled military enlistment at the end of July. The timing of sending the audit results was not delayed because Cha is a famous celebrity.
A tax industry official explained, โFor the NTS, ensuring the taxpayer pays is the most important thing. They naturally consider the taxpayerโs convenience regarding the timing of summons and notice delivery, and this applies generally to all taxpayers, not just specific individuals.โ https://n.news.naver.com/article/018/0006210219?sid=101
Some have claimed that โCha Eunwoo could face jail time,โ but the National Tax Service (NTS) does not accept โpre-assessment reviewโ requests for tax offenders. Without an NTS report under its exclusive right to prosecute, punishment is difficult. Claims that the NTS gave Cha Eunwoo special treatment are also inaccurate.
As allegations of Cha Eunwooโs alleged tax evasion amounting to around 20 billion won surfaced, numerous speculations and misunderstandings have emerged.
To address claims that Cha could face criminal punishment, the answer is ๐ก๐ข. A key reason is that the NTS accepted Chaโs request for a โpre-assessment review.โ This review allows taxpayers to request an examination of the appropriateness of taxation before a formal tax notice is issued.
A tax industry official told Edaily on the 30th: โIf the NTS had determined through its audit that Cha was a tax offender, he would not be eligible for a pre-assessment review. Since Chaโs review is ongoing, the NTS does not view this as a case to report to prosecutors as a tax offense.โ He added, โThe NTS only reports cases to prosecutors when the evasion methods, such as fraud or double bookkeeping, are severely illegal and maliciousโ[...].
This controversy arose from Edailyโs January 22 report, โCha Eunwoo suspected of tax evasion through โmotherโs companyโ, 20 billion won reassessment.โ The report mentioned, โThe NTS reportedly waited to send the tax audit results notice until after Chaโs military enlistment, following his request.โ
However, according to tax industry sources, ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ก๐ง๐ฆ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฑ ๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐ด๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฎ ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐. Chaโs audit began last spring and proceeded over the usual period of about four months, finishing before his scheduled military enlistment at the end of July. The timing of sending the audit results was not delayed because Cha is a famous celebrity.
A tax industry official explained, โFor the NTS, ensuring the taxpayer pays is the most important thing. They naturally consider the taxpayerโs convenience regarding the timing of summons and notice delivery, and this applies generally to all taxpayers, not just specific individuals.โ https://n.news.naver.com/article/018/0006210219?sid=101
Korean Taxpayersโ Association: โCha Eunwoo Tax Evasion Controversy โ Principle of Presumption of Innocence Must Be Upheldโฆ Tax Avoidance Is a Rightโ
โDoes being assessed additional taxes make someone a tax evader? Itโs character assassination born of ignorance.
The Korean Taxpayersโ Association (KTA) commented on the tax evasion controversy involving singer and actor Cha Eunwoo (real name Lee Dongmin), stating, "Unilaterally condemning someone as a tax evader solely because they were assessed additional taxes reflects viewing taxation only from the perspective of state authority", and urged that the principle of presumption of innocence must be respected. The KTA is the only citizen organization in South Korea specializing in tax rights advocacy.
In a press release on the 29th, the KTA explained, "Tax avoidance is a taxpayerโs right. If tax avoidance is successful, it is considered โtax savingโ; if it fails, it is considered โtax evasion.โ The United States Supreme Court has ruled that โa taxpayerโs legal right to reduce or avoid taxes imposed on them within the scope permitted by law can never be an issue.โ"
The KTA further argued that labeling the company registered under Cha Eunwooโs motherโs name as a 'paper company" violates the presumption of innocence, noting, "In the NeNe Chicken case, the National Tax Service (NTS) accused the sonโs company of being a โpaper companyโ with no personnel or physical assets, and although the lower court initially ruled guilty, the Supreme Court ultimately acquitted the company."
The KTA added, "Nonetheless, the mediaโs definitive labeling of the company as a โpaper companyโ violates the principle of presumption of innocence and risks prejudicing disputes and litigation, thereby infringing on taxpayersโ rights. The basic principle of criminal law โ โeven if it means freeing 100 criminals, not a single innocent person should sufferโ โ must be upheld."
The statement continued, "Leaking taxation information is illegal. Reports on celebrity tax investigations are unlikely without the leakage of tax information by tax officials. If the Commissioner of the NTS fails to investigate leaks and allows them to continue, it constitutes dereliction of duty. The NTS must rigorously audit and identify the officials responsible for leaking taxation information and punish them accordingly."
The KTA emphasized, "โBeing assessed additional taxes = deserving condemnationโ is not a valid equation. On the contrary, the NTS, which creates tax laws that are difficult even for experts to understand and fails to provide adequate prior guidance, should be criticized. Condemning someone as a tax evader solely because they were assessed taxes amounts to character assassination born of ignorance."
Meanwhile, Cha Eunwoo is reported to have been subjected to a high-intensity, irregular tax audit by the Seoul Regional Tax Officeโs Fourth Investigation Division in July of last year, after which he was notified of an additional tax assessment exceeding 20 billion KRW.โ https://t.co/mUDN7dF6BR
Just saw the trailer The 3 neighbors have powers, but they use them so awfully! ๐ It looks like Woonjung will have to teach them how to actually use their power. This drama is going to be Super Fun
Eunwoo is a versatile actor. Many people say he canโt act because of popular dramas like True Beauty and My ID Is Gangnam Beauty. They always say he plays the same character and has the same expressions, but thatโs totally wrong.
He was praised in Island and Wonderful World, yet they say, โthe character is good,โ instead of admitting that Eunwoo acted well. For other actors, they say they can act because their characters are goodโbut when it comes to Eunwoo, they refuse to give him credit.
They always have a problem with Eunwoo. Donโt believe what they say. Watch his work yourself if youโre interested in his dramas
"The Korea Taxpayersโ Association, a civic organization focused on tax justice, has filed a criminal complaint with the police against unidentified tax officials and the journalist who first reported the matter, in connection with the leak of information regarding singer and actor Cha Eunwoo and the fact that the National Tax Service imposed additional taxes totaling approximately 20 billion won.
The Association announced on the 10th that it submitted a complaint to the National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency against an unidentified tax official and the journalist in question on charges of violating the Personal Information Protection Act and unlawful disclosure of official secrets under the Criminal Act.
In its complaint, the Association pointed out that โArticle 81-13 of the Framework Act on National Taxes (Duty of Confidentiality) strictly prohibits tax officials from providing, disclosing, or using tax information for purposes other than those intended, in order to protect taxpayersโ rights.โ It further explained that โArticle 71 of the Personal Information Protection Act stipulates that anyone who discloses personal information obtained in the course of their duties, provides it without authorization, or receives such information for profit or improper purposes while being aware of the circumstances, may be punished by up to five yearsโ imprisonment or a fine of up to 50 million won. Likewise, Article 127 of the Criminal Act provides for criminal punishment when a public official discloses confidential information obtained in the course of their duties.โ
The Association stated, โBy unlawfully leaking specific tax assessment information related to Cha Eunwooโs tax audit, the accused parties infringed upon the confidentiality principles guaranteed by the Framework Act on National Taxes and violated the taxpayerโs rights.โ It added, โSince detailed information regarding the additional tax assessment and the circumstances of the investigation is information that only tax officials involved in the audit or managers in the approval chain could know, there is a very high likelihood that this case involves an internal leak of tax information.โ
The Association continued, saying, โSuch information leaks are a serious matter that can cause irreparable harm to the individual concerned,โ and called for a thorough investigation.
Regarding the filing of the complaint, the Association emphasized, โThis is not intended to defend or protect a specific individual, but to establish social trust that โtax information is securely protected under all circumstances.โโ It added, โProtecting tax information is the foundation of the tax system and a core element that sustains the communityโ.
Attorney Lee Kyung-hwan, who represents the complainant, said, โCha Eunwoo is also a citizen of the Republic of Korea and a taxpayer, and therefore the taxpayer rights stipulated in the Framework Act on National Taxes and the constitutional principle of presumption of innocence must apply equally to him.โ He added, โThe law must be enforced equally regardless of whether someone is a celebrity, and it is not desirable for tax information to be leaked and for social stigma to be imposed simply because a person is well-known.โ
Chairman Kim Sun-taek stated, โThe NTS is an institution that holds a vast amount of extremely sensitive personal information, including citizensโ income, assets, medical expenses, charitable donations, and credit card usage, as well as tax audit information.โ He pointed out, โIf such information is being managed carelessly, it is a very serious problem.โ He continued, โThe National Tax Service must actively cooperate with this investigation to restore public trust in the protection of tax informationโ."
https://n.news.naver.com/article/016/0002598653
Some have claimed that โCha Eunwoo could face jail time,โ but the National Tax Service (NTS) does not accept โpre-assessment reviewโ requests for tax offenders. Without an NTS report under its exclusive right to prosecute, punishment is difficult. Claims that the NTS gave Cha Eunwoo special treatment are also inaccurate.
As allegations of Cha Eunwooโs alleged tax evasion amounting to around 20 billion won surfaced, numerous speculations and misunderstandings have emerged.
โ ๐๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ ๐๐๐ป๐๐ผ๐ผ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ท๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ถ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฎ๐น๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐?
To address claims that Cha could face criminal punishment, the answer is ๐ก๐ข. A key reason is that the NTS accepted Chaโs request for a โpre-assessment review.โ This review allows taxpayers to request an examination of the appropriateness of taxation before a formal tax notice is issued.
A tax industry official told Edaily on the 30th: โIf the NTS had determined through its audit that Cha was a tax offender, he would not be eligible for a pre-assessment review. Since Chaโs review is ongoing, the NTS does not view this as a case to report to prosecutors as a tax offense.โ He added, โThe NTS only reports cases to prosecutors when the evasion methods, such as fraud or double bookkeeping, are severely illegal and maliciousโ[...].
โ ๐๐ถ๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ก๐ง๐ฆ ๐ด๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฎ ๐๐๐ป๐๐ผ๐ผ ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐?
This controversy arose from Edailyโs January 22 report, โCha Eunwoo suspected of tax evasion through โmotherโs companyโ, 20 billion won reassessment.โ The report mentioned, โThe NTS reportedly waited to send the tax audit results notice until after Chaโs military enlistment, following his request.โ
However, according to tax industry sources, ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ก๐ง๐ฆ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฑ ๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐ด๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฎ ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐. Chaโs audit began last spring and proceeded over the usual period of about four months, finishing before his scheduled military enlistment at the end of July. The timing of sending the audit results was not delayed because Cha is a famous celebrity.
A tax industry official explained, โFor the NTS, ensuring the taxpayer pays is the most important thing. They naturally consider the taxpayerโs convenience regarding the timing of summons and notice delivery, and this applies generally to all taxpayers, not just specific individuals.โ
https://n.news.naver.com/article/018/0006210219?sid=101
Some have claimed that โCha Eunwoo could face jail time,โ but the National Tax Service (NTS) does not accept โpre-assessment reviewโ requests for tax offenders. Without an NTS report under its exclusive right to prosecute, punishment is difficult. Claims that the NTS gave Cha Eunwoo special treatment are also inaccurate.
As allegations of Cha Eunwooโs alleged tax evasion amounting to around 20 billion won surfaced, numerous speculations and misunderstandings have emerged.
โ ๐๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ ๐๐๐ป๐๐ผ๐ผ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ท๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ถ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฎ๐น๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐?
To address claims that Cha could face criminal punishment, the answer is ๐ก๐ข. A key reason is that the NTS accepted Chaโs request for a โpre-assessment review.โ This review allows taxpayers to request an examination of the appropriateness of taxation before a formal tax notice is issued.
A tax industry official told Edaily on the 30th: โIf the NTS had determined through its audit that Cha was a tax offender, he would not be eligible for a pre-assessment review. Since Chaโs review is ongoing, the NTS does not view this as a case to report to prosecutors as a tax offense.โ He added, โThe NTS only reports cases to prosecutors when the evasion methods, such as fraud or double bookkeeping, are severely illegal and maliciousโ[...].
โ ๐๐ถ๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ก๐ง๐ฆ ๐ด๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฎ ๐๐๐ป๐๐ผ๐ผ ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐?
This controversy arose from Edailyโs January 22 report, โCha Eunwoo suspected of tax evasion through โmotherโs companyโ, 20 billion won reassessment.โ The report mentioned, โThe NTS reportedly waited to send the tax audit results notice until after Chaโs military enlistment, following his request.โ
However, according to tax industry sources, ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ก๐ง๐ฆ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฑ ๐ป๐ผ๐ ๐ด๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ต๐ฎ ๐๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐. Chaโs audit began last spring and proceeded over the usual period of about four months, finishing before his scheduled military enlistment at the end of July. The timing of sending the audit results was not delayed because Cha is a famous celebrity.
A tax industry official explained, โFor the NTS, ensuring the taxpayer pays is the most important thing. They naturally consider the taxpayerโs convenience regarding the timing of summons and notice delivery, and this applies generally to all taxpayers, not just specific individuals.โ
https://n.news.naver.com/article/018/0006210219?sid=101
โDoes being assessed additional taxes make someone a tax evader? Itโs character assassination born of ignorance.
The Korean Taxpayersโ Association (KTA) commented on the tax evasion controversy involving singer and actor Cha Eunwoo (real name Lee Dongmin), stating, "Unilaterally condemning someone as a tax evader solely because they were assessed additional taxes reflects viewing taxation only from the perspective of state authority", and urged that the principle of presumption of innocence must be respected. The KTA is the only citizen organization in South Korea specializing in tax rights advocacy.
In a press release on the 29th, the KTA explained, "Tax avoidance is a taxpayerโs right. If tax avoidance is successful, it is considered โtax savingโ; if it fails, it is considered โtax evasion.โ The United States Supreme Court has ruled that โa taxpayerโs legal right to reduce or avoid taxes imposed on them within the scope permitted by law can never be an issue.โ"
The KTA further argued that labeling the company registered under Cha Eunwooโs motherโs name as a 'paper company" violates the presumption of innocence, noting, "In the NeNe Chicken case, the National Tax Service (NTS) accused the sonโs company of being a โpaper companyโ with no personnel or physical assets, and although the lower court initially ruled guilty, the Supreme Court ultimately acquitted the company."
The KTA added, "Nonetheless, the mediaโs definitive labeling of the company as a โpaper companyโ violates the principle of presumption of innocence and risks prejudicing disputes and litigation, thereby infringing on taxpayersโ rights. The basic principle of criminal law โ โeven if it means freeing 100 criminals, not a single innocent person should sufferโ โ must be upheld."
The statement continued, "Leaking taxation information is illegal. Reports on celebrity tax investigations are unlikely without the leakage of tax information by tax officials. If the Commissioner of the NTS fails to investigate leaks and allows them to continue, it constitutes dereliction of duty. The NTS must rigorously audit and identify the officials responsible for leaking taxation information and punish them accordingly."
The KTA emphasized, "โBeing assessed additional taxes = deserving condemnationโ is not a valid equation. On the contrary, the NTS, which creates tax laws that are difficult even for experts to understand and fails to provide adequate prior guidance, should be criticized. Condemning someone as a tax evader solely because they were assessed taxes amounts to character assassination born of ignorance."
Meanwhile, Cha Eunwoo is reported to have been subjected to a high-intensity, irregular tax audit by the Seoul Regional Tax Officeโs Fourth Investigation Division in July of last year, after which he was notified of an additional tax assessment exceeding 20 billion KRW.โ
https://t.co/mUDN7dF6BR
He was praised in Island and Wonderful World, yet they say, โthe character is good,โ instead of admitting that Eunwoo acted well. For other actors, they say they can act because their characters are goodโbut when it comes to Eunwoo, they refuse to give him credit.
They always have a problem with Eunwoo. Donโt believe what they say. Watch his work yourself if youโre interested in his dramas