Cha Eun-woo Apologizes for Tax Evasion Allegations with '20 Billion Won Penalty'... "Not a Desperate Enlistment"

Cha Eun-woo, who is facing tax evasion allegations, has posted an apology.

On January 22, singer and actor Cha Eun-woo was notified by the National Tax Service of a penalty exceeding 2 billion won for tax evasion. The National Tax Service stated that Cha Eun-woo paid taxes at a lower rate through a service contract with his agency Fantagio via a one-person agency operated by his mother. The 2 billion won penalty is the largest in the Korean entertainment industry, drawing significant public attention.

Subsequently, on January 26, Cha Eun-woo posted an apology on his SNS account. He posted the message during his military service and expressed his intention to sincerely engage in the ongoing tax-related procedures and humbly accept the final judgment. He denied that his enlistment in July of last year, before the tax investigation was completed, was a desperate measure.

Cha Eun-woo's post received over 1.7 million 'likes' within a day, but criticism continued that no clarifications were made. Some companies that had chosen Cha Eun-woo as their advertising model have made his advertisements private. Currently, Cha Eun-woo has appointed the law firm Sejong as his legal representative. Below is the full text of Cha Eun-woo's post.

Hello, this is Cha Eun-woo.

I sincerely bow my head and apologize for causing concern and disappointment to many due to various issues related to me recently.

This incident has led me to reflect deeply on whether my attitude as a citizen of South Korea towards my tax obligations has been sufficiently strict.

Over the past few days, I have been contemplating what to say to convey my regret to those who have been hurt by me.

I was worried that my lengthy writing might sound like an excuse or cause fatigue, but I felt it was my duty to directly address this matter and apologize.

I am currently writing this after finishing my duties at the base. Although I am serving in the military, it was not an intentional choice to avoid this controversy.

I had to enlist last year when I could no longer postpone my military service, and I enlisted without completing the tax investigation process. However, I deeply feel responsible for this misunderstanding, which stems from my shortcomings.

If I were not a soldier, I would want to personally visit everyone who has been affected by this incident and sincerely apologize.

Over the past 11 years, I have been in a position of privilege as 'Cha Eun-woo' thanks to the love and support you have generously given me, despite having more shortcomings than possessions.

Therefore, I am incredibly sorry for causing great pain and fatigue to all those who have believed in and supported me during this time, even if I cannot repay them.

I will sincerely engage in the ongoing tax-related procedures. I will also humbly accept the results based on the final judgment made by the relevant authorities and fulfill my responsibilities accordingly.

In the future, I will reflect on myself more strictly and live with a greater sense of responsibility to repay the love I have received.

Once again, I sincerely apologize for causing concern.