Cha Eun-woo, serving in the military band, fulfills his defense duties without a change of assignment.
The Ministry of National Defense said the petition recently submitted through the National E-People system requesting a review of Cha Eun-woo's military band reassignment does not meet the prescribed reasons for a change of assignment, so he continues to hold his current position.
According to Article 14 of the directive, reassignment applies when the current position cannot be performed due to an accident or illness; when adjustment is unavoidable because of unit disbandment, reorganization, excess assignments, or disqualification of identity; when involved as a perpetrator or victim in incidents such as assault; when an internal whistleblower; when subject to disciplinary action; or in other cases the service chiefs deem necessary.
The Ministry of National Defense added that the person in question does not meet the reasons for a change of assignment under the cited grounds, so he maintains his current position. Regarding whether the individual had an opportunity to present his case, the ministry said disclosure is restricted due to concerns about invasion of privacy.
Earlier, Cha Eun-woo underwent intensive questioning last July by the Seoul Regional Tax Service's Investigation Department 4 on allegations of tax evasion before his enlistment, and was notified of a tax reassessment exceeding 20 billion won. That amount is the largest reassessment levied so far on a domestic entertainer; Cha Eun-woo disputed the tax agency's decision by requesting a pre-assessment review of taxation but, after controversy, decided to pay all the reassessed taxes.
However, even if the full 20 billion won is paid, to prevent double taxation Cha Eun-woo will be refunded overlapping taxes already paid in corporate tax and value-added tax. That amount is about 7 billion won, so according to his agency the net amount Cha Eun-woo pays is about 13 billion won.
Meanwhile, Cha Eun-woo enlisted last July. His discharge is scheduled for Jan. 2027.
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]