Singer and actor Cha Eun-woo spoke directly about allegations of 20 billion won in tax evasion, and his agency also issued a statement again.
Fantagio said on the 27th, "We sincerely apologize for causing concern to many people due to the recent situations involving our company and our artist Cha Eun-woo. We feel a heavy responsibility for the controversy that has arisen regarding matters related to our company and the artist."
The agency said, "The matter currently raised is at the stage where facts are being verified according to the tax authorities' procedures, and the agency and the artist are faithfully cooperating with the investigation to the extent necessary," and explained, "If legal or administrative judgments become clear in the future, we will responsibly carry out the necessary measures according to those results."
However, it urged, "We earnestly request that people refrain from reckless speculation, the spread of unverified information and excessive overinterpretation regarding the claims and suspicions raised by some."
Finally, the agency said, "We will use this incident as an opportunity to once again review our artist management system and do our best to prevent similar controversies from recurring by supplementing and strengthening necessary systems."
Meanwhile, Cha Eun-woo was subject to a high-intensity investigation last July by the Seoul Regional Tax Service's Investigation Division 4 before enlisting, accused of tax evasion, and was notified of a tax bill exceeding 20 billion won. This is the largest levy imposed on an entertainer to date.
Regarding this, the agency previously said, "The main issue in this matter is whether the corporation established by Cha Eun-woo's mother falls under the scope of substantive taxation. This is not a matter that has been finally determined and notified, and we plan to actively explain the points of contention related to the interpretation and application of the law through proper procedures."
Afterward, Cha Eun-woo also wrote on social media, "Through this incident, as a citizen of Korea I am reflecting deeply on whether my attitude toward the duty to pay taxes has been sufficiently strict," and said, "I will faithfully participate in the upcoming tax-related procedures. I will humbly accept the final determinations made by the relevant authorities and fulfill the responsibilities that follow."
The following is the agency's full statement.
Hello. This is Fantagio.
We sincerely apologize for causing concern to many people due to the recent situations involving our company and our artist Cha Eun-woo.
We feel a heavy responsibility for the controversy that has arisen regarding matters related to our company and the artist.
The matter currently raised is at the stage where facts are being verified according to the tax authorities' procedures, and the agency and the artist are faithfully cooperating with the investigation to the extent necessary. If legal or administrative judgments become clear in the future, we will responsibly carry out the necessary measures according to those results.
However, we earnestly request that people refrain from reckless speculation, the spread of unverified information and excessive overinterpretation regarding the claims and suspicions raised by some.
We will use this incident as an opportunity to once again review our artist management system and do our best to prevent similar controversies from recurring by supplementing and strengthening necessary systems.<
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]