Will allegations that actor Cha Eun-woo evaded taxes of around 20 billion won enter a new phase?
On the 10th the Korea Taxpayers Association (hereinafter the association) reported to the Korean National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters that an unidentified tax official who leaked taxation information related to Cha Eun-woo's tax probe and the reporter who first covered it had been accused of violating the Personal Information Protection Act and of public official secrecy leakage under the Criminal Act.
In its complaint the association noted that Article 81-13 (confidentiality) of the Framework Act on National Taxes points out that taxation information must be strictly prohibited from being provided, leaked, or used for purposes other than those intended by tax officials to protect taxpayer rights. It also said that Article 71 of the Personal Information Protection Act stipulates that anyone who leaks personal information learned in the course of their duties or provides it without authority, or anyone who receives personal information knowing those circumstances for profit or for an improper purpose, shall be punished by imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million won, and that Article 127 of the Criminal Act also provides for criminal punishment when a public official leaks secrets in the course of duties.
The association said, "The accused infringed on the confidentiality principle guaranteed by the Framework Act on National Taxes and the rights of the taxpayer by illegally leaking specific taxation information related to Cha Eun-woo's tax probe," and added, "Because the specific details of additional collections and the investigation process are information that only tax officials such as investigating officers or managers in the approval line would know, this case is highly likely to be an internal leakage of taxation information." It continued, "Such information leakage is a serious matter that can cause irreparable harm to the affected person," and requested a thorough investigation.
Regarding this complaint the association said, "This is not to favor or defend a specific person, but to establish public trust that 'taxation information is securely protected in all cases,'" and emphasized, "Protecting taxation information is the foundation of the tax system and a core element that sustains the community." It also said, "As with the case of the late Lee Seon-gyun, unverified investigation or probe information being disclosed and repeatedly causing personal reputation and human rights to be damaged beyond repair must not happen again."
Attorney Lee Kyung-hwan, who represented the complaint, said, "Cha Eun-woo is also a Korean citizen and a taxpayer, and the taxpayer rights prescribed by the Framework Act on National Taxes and the constitutional presumption of innocence should apply equally," and added, "The law must be enforced equally regardless of fame, and it is not desirable for taxation information to be leaked and for social stigma to be attached merely because someone is famous."
Kim Seon-taek, chairman, said, "The National Tax Service is an institution that holds a vast amount of very sensitive personal information, including citizens' income, assets, medical expense payments, charitable donation expenditures, and credit card use details, including tax audit information," and added, "If such information is being managed carelessly, that is a serious problem." He went on to say, "The National Tax Service should actively cooperate with this investigation to restore public trust in the protection of taxation information."
Meanwhile, regarding allegations of tax evasion of around 20 billion won Cha Eun-woo said, "I sincerely bow my head and apologize for causing concern and disappointment to many people due to various recent matters related to me. Taking this as an opportunity, as a citizen of Korea I am deeply reflecting on whether my attitude toward my duty to pay taxes has been sufficiently strict."
Fantagio, his agency, said, "The matter currently raised is at the stage where the facts are being verified according to the procedures of the tax authorities, and the agency and the artist are faithfully participating in the investigation within the scope necessary for each. If legal or administrative judgments become clear in the future, we will responsibly carry out necessary measures according to the results. We earnestly ask that people refrain from reckless speculation, the spread of unverified information, and excessive overinterpretation regarding the claims and allegations raised by some."
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