Actor Lee Hanee said she has recently completed the registration process after being referred to prosecutors on charges of operating a popular culture and arts planning business without registration.
On the 24th, Lee Hanee's agency, Team Hope, told OSEN, "Hope Project has completed registration for the popular culture and arts planning business in accordance with Article 26, Paragraph 1 of the Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act, and formally received the registration certificate on Oct. 28," it said in an official statement.
Regarding the prosecution's investigation, they also said, "We will faithfully participate in the related procedures that are currently under way."
Earlier, Lee Hanee and her husband established and operated Hanee Co. in 2015, but controversy arose after it was revealed they did not register the required popular culture and arts planning business. Hanee Co. changed its name to Irye-yoon Co. in Jan. 2018 and to Hope Project Co. in Sept. 2022. Lee Hanee served as CEO and inside director until Jan. 2023; currently her husband is the CEO and Lee Hanee is an inside director.
Under the Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act, corporations or sole proprietors with more than one person must complete the registration process under Article 26, Paragraph 1 to operate a popular culture and arts planning business. Operating without registration can result in up to two years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won.
On this matter, Lee Hanee's side said, "Hope Project did not sufficiently recognize the obligation to register for the popular culture and arts planning business and therefore did not complete the registration process. After recently confirming this fact, we have sought expert advice and are proceeding with the procedures according to the relevant regulations, and we plan to complete registration within the guidance period as soon as possible."
Recently, Gangnam Police Station referred Lee Hanee, her husband and the corporation Hope Project to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office without detention on suspicion of violating the Popular Culture and Arts Industry Development Act.
Separately, Lee Hanee was hit with a 6 billion won tax assessment by the National Tax Service after Hope Project treated all earnings from her entertainment activities as corporate income for corporate tax purposes last Sept.
Team Hope said, "Lee Hanee fully cooperated with the Seoul Regional Tax Service's unannounced planned tax audit, and the additional tax arose from a difference in perspective with the tax authorities rather than intentional evasion," and added, "The full amount has already been paid."
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]