The Ministry of National Defense said it will stick to its policy of keeping singer-actor Cha Eun-woo (legal name Lee Dong-min) in his current military band assignment, rejecting a petition seeking a review.
On the 8th, an online community carried a post disclosing the contents of a petition filed by an internet user over Cha Eun-woo's military band assignment and the reply from the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission. Cha enlisted in July last year and is currently serving as a lance corporal in the military band.
Earlier, the internet user filed a petition through the Government Complaints Portal on Jan. 1 requesting a review of the appropriateness of Cha Eun-woo's military band assignment. The user also submitted a follow-up petition last month after Cha paid taxes related to tax evasion and apologized.
At the time, the writer noted that the military band is a unit with high symbolic value and public visibility, supporting government-led central events, national holiday ceremonies, events related to the president, and various national commemorations and protocol events, and argued for a reexamination of the assignment on the grounds that "because the controversy has wide repercussions, it could affect the fairness of the military organization and troop morale."
However, the Ministry of National Defense stated in a reply on the 6th that "this does not fall under the grounds for reassignment stipulated in Article 14 (Reassignment, etc.) of the Ministry of National Defense enlisted personnel management directive, so the current assignment will be maintained." It also said that whether the person provided an explanation would not be disclosed out of concern for invasion of privacy, as it pertains to personal information.
According to Article 14 of the Ministry of National Defense enlisted personnel management directive, a service member becomes subject to reassignment if they can no longer perform duties in their current post due to an accident or illness; if adjustment is unavoidable due to unit dissolution, reorganization, or surplus personnel in the post; if they are a perpetrator or victim in an incident such as assault; if they are subject to disciplinary action; if they are maladjusted to service; or if the chiefs of staff of each service deem reassignment necessary.
Earlier, in January, Cha Eun-woo was embroiled in suspicions of tax evasion totaling around 20 billion won. The National Tax Service found problems with a management service contract between a corporation established by Cha's mother and Cha Eun-woo. Cha's side contested the National Tax Service's determination and filed a "pre-assessment review," but on Feb. 8 accepted the National Tax Service's action and paid the related taxes in full.
At the time, Cha Eun-woo said on Instagram, "I sincerely apologize for disappointing many people over the tax payment controversy," adding, "I have paid all related taxes to prevent further confusion."