'Alleged 20 billion won tax evasion' suspicion surrounding ASTRO alumnus and actor Cha Eun-woo prompted a petition on the national e-petition system requesting a review of his reassignment.
On the 28th, a post on an online community said I submitted a report to the Ministry of National Defense requesting a reexamination of the appropriateness of Cha Eun-woo (real name Lee Dong-min)'s military band assignment and consideration of reassignment. Reassignment refers to a duty change carried out in the military according to the regulations on exclusive assignment and reassignment.
The author explained, The Ministry of National Defense honor guard and military band prioritize support for government-led central events in accordance with Article 317, Paragraph 1 of the unit management directive. Also, under the same article, paragraph 2, they perform duties that support border day celebrations, presidential inauguration ceremonies, events related to the president, legally designated anniversaries concerning various commemorative days, commemorative events implemented after reporting to the Cabinet on major policies of each ministry, international events held domestically (upon request), government-sponsored traditional ceremonies (upon request), and state funerals, so their external exposure and symbolism are considerable.
He said the substance of this matter should be finally resolved through procedures of related agencies in the future, but given the scale and impact of the controversy itself, there is a significant risk that it will lead to relative deprivation among service members and damage trust in the fairness and strictness of the military organization, and he stated the purpose of the report by saying I believe that because of this nature, military band assignments require a higher level of appropriateness review and risk management from the perspectives of external trust, representativeness and troop morale than ordinary assignments.
He expressed his opinion, This matter is directly related to the service of a widely known celebrity service member, and the repercussions for the military's external trust, discipline and troop morale are by no means small. Swift and strict response is required to maintain discipline and morale in unit operations and to prevent unnecessary spread of controversy. In particular, the essence of military service is an obligation, not a privilege, and a service member's attitude and dignity are directly tied to the honor of the entire military organization.
He added, Even assuming that related tax procedures are currently underway, given the seriousness and ripple effects of the matter, it is necessary to proactively examine the potential impact of Private Cha Eun-woo's military band assignment (service) on the military's honor and morale, and he demanded the Ministry of National Defense classify this matter as a serious service management issue in terms of protecting discipline and morale, reexamine with top priority the appropriateness of the current assignment and, if necessary, promptly review and take required measures such as reassignment in accordance with relevant regulations.
Along with this, the author disclosed the details of completing the petition filing through the national e-petition system. The petition has currently been received by the Ministry of National Defense. The author also revealed the Ministry of National Defense national e-petition officer said in a phone call on the 28th that they had designated the unit's inspection office as the department to handle it and that if investigation or fact verification is needed for the petition they take measures. They said that after judging the need and fact verification, there will likely be a response or action.
Earlier, Cha Eun-woo was reportedly notified by the National Tax Service of a tax collection exceeding 20 billion won for alleged tax evasion such as income tax. He was suspected of evading taxes by creating a separate company for himself or his family despite having an original agency, signing a service contract with the agency, and using that as a scheme to lower taxes. In reality, company A established by Cha Eun-woo's mother Ms. Choi signed an entertainment activity support service contract with Fantagio and shared Cha Eun-woo's income. However, the National Tax Service judged that company A was a paper company that did not actually provide services. The National Tax Service viewed that Cha Eun-woo and his mother set up company A and distributed income to reduce income tax by as much as 45 percent and thereby used a trick to apply a corporate tax rate more than 20 percent lower.
In particular, Cha Eun-woo underwent an intensive investigation by the Seoul Regional Tax Service's Investigation Division 4 for alleged tax evasion last spring before his enlistment, and the National Tax Service, at Cha Eun-woo's request, is said to have waited until his enlistment was completed before sending the tax investigation result notification that contained such details. Cha Eun-woo later passed the army military band in May last year and enlisted in July of the same year and is currently serving. Accordingly, some have raised suspicions that Cha Eun-woo intentionally delayed the tax investigation notification until his military enlistment to avoid public criticism and then enlisted to evade the issue.
However, Cha Eun-woo's side argued that company A established by his mother is not a paper company but a properly registered cultural and entertainment planning business. After receiving the notification, they have requested through the tax administrative review to assess the appropriateness of the National Tax Service's decision, and Fantagio said this matter concerns whether the company established by Cha Eun-woo's mother is subject to substantive taxation and is not a matter that has been finally determined and notified, and that they will actively explain issues related to the interpretation and application of the law through proper procedures.
Four days after the controversy, Cha Eun-woo posted, I am currently serving in the military, but this was by no means an intentional choice to avoid this controversy. Last year I reached a point where I could no longer postpone enlistment and enlisted without completing the tax investigation procedures, and he apologized saying I will sincerely participate in the tax-related procedures going forward. He said he would humbly accept the final judgment by the related agencies and take responsibility accordingly. Fantagio also said in an additional statement that the matter currently raised is at the stage where facts are being verified according to tax authority procedures, and the agency and the artist are faithfully cooperating with investigations within the necessary scope. If legal and administrative judgments become clear later, they will responsibly implement necessary measures according to the results.
Meanwhile, despite Cha Eun-woo's explanations, the advertising industry continues to cut ties. Skincare brand Abib, Shinhan Bank, Marithé François Girbaud, Daesung MyMac, and SSG.com have turned Cha Eun-woo's advertising videos and posts private. Moreover, the Ministry of National Defense also made private the content featuring Cha Eun-woo uploaded to the Defense Media Agency's YouTube channel KFN Plus, and following the financial, fashion and education sectors, the Ministry of National Defense has turned its back on Cha Eun-woo amid the controversy. Amid this, with one year left before his discharge and facing the risk of being expelled from the military band, attention is focused on his future response.
[photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]