The Korea Economic Daily reported on April 9th that Cha Eun Woo has fully paid the additional taxes assessed by the National Tax Service.
The taxes assessed were related to personal income. After accounting for refunds from overlapping payments in corporate and value-added taxes, the final amount paid was confirmed to be approximately 13 billion won ($8.8 million), significantly lower than the initially reported 20 billion won ($13.4 million).
Earlier reports stated that Cha Eun Woo had been notified of a tax bill exceeding 20 billion won following a high-intensity audit by the Seoul Regional National Tax Service in the first half of last year. However, the finalized amount turned out to be just over half of that figure.
In response, his agency Fantagio said cautiously, “It is difficult to confirm.”
After completing the payment, Cha Eun Woo issued a statement, saying, “I sincerely apologize for disappointing and causing confusion among many people, including my fans, due to the recent tax controversy.” He added, “I respect the process and outcome of the National Tax Service and have paid all taxes owed to prevent any further confusion.”
He continued, “If there were aspects I failed to review more carefully, the responsibility lies entirely with me.” He emphasized, “I will not avoid responsibility with excuses such as ‘I didn’t know’ or ‘it wasn’t my decision.’”
He concluded, “Moving forward, I will review all my activities with greater care and stricter standards to ensure this does not happen again.”
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New complaint calls to remove Cha Eun Woo from the military band
A new civil complaint has been filed with the Ministry of National Defense regarding ASTRO member and actor Cha Eun Woo.
A netizen submitted the complaint through the public petition system on April 9th. The formal complaint stated, “I have filed a follow-up complaint with the Ministry of National Defense requesting a review of his military assignment, since Cha Eun Woo has issued another apology regarding the 20 billion won tax controversy.”
Cha Eun Woo enlisted last year and is currently serving in the military band. The petitioner requested a reassessment of his position based on the Ministry of National Defense Directive No. 3042. According to Article 14 of the directive, an assignment can be changed if deemed necessary by high-ranking officials in cases involving disciplinary action, issues adjusting to service, or exemplary service in frontline or coastal areas.
The netizen argued, “As a soldier in the military band who holds significant public visibility and has been actively deployed in external events and promotional activities, I ask that the impact of maintaining his current assignment be reviewed in terms of the military’s public trust, representation, discipline, and troop morale. This issue should not be seen as a simple personal controversy, but rather as a matter concerning the appropriateness of personnel management and organizational operation to uphold the military’s honor and credibility.”
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