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A South Korean civic group has filed criminal complaints over the alleged leak of tax investigation details involving celebrity Cha Eun-woo, warning that unchecked disclosures risk repeating the kind of reputational damage seen in the case of late actor Lee Sun-kyun. The Korea Taxpayers Federation said on Tuesday it had reported a tax official accused of leaking confidential information and the journalist who first reported it to police. The federation said the complaint cites violations of the Personal Information Protection Act and criminal law provisions on disclosure of official secrets. The group said the leak concerned details of a tax investigation into Cha, a member of K-pop boy band ASTRO who is also active as an actor. It said the information could only have been known to tax investigators or officials in the approval chain, raising strong suspicions of an internal leak. “The accused parties unlawfully disclosed specific details related to Cha Eun-woo’s tax investigation, infringing on confidentiality principles guaranteed by the Framework Act on National Taxes and the rig

Stories of foreign Christian missionaries who spread the word of God and laid the foundations of education and medicine on the Korean Peninsula in the late 19th and early 20th centuries are often told in books, museum exhibitions and documentaries. “The Mission:K,” a musical that premiered Friday at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul, marked a lively addition to these storytelling methods. The production featured four male K-pop idols portraying four historical figures. MJ from ASTRO played Horace N. Allen (1858-1932) of the United States, who established the first Western medical clinic in the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Jaeyoon from SF9 took on the role of Horace G. Underwood (1859-1916), an American missionary known for founding the Joseon Christian College, which later became Yonsei University. Kim Dong-jun from ZE:A portrayed Canadian doctor Oliver R. Avison (1860-1956), who led quarantine efforts during the outbreak of cholera and is credited with opening Severance Hospital and Severance Medical College. Ricky from Teen Top played Louis H. Severance (1838-1913

Stories of foreign Christian missionaries who spread the word of God and laid the foundations of education and medicine on the Korean Peninsula in the late 19th and early 20th centuries are often told in books, museum exhibitions and documentaries. “The Mission:K,” a musical that premiered Friday at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul, marked a lively addition to these storytelling methods. The production featured four male K-pop idols portraying four historical figures. MJ from ASTRO played Horace N. Allen (1858-1932) of the United States, who established the first Western medical clinic in the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Jae Yoon from SF9 took on the role of Horace G. Underwood (1859-1916), an American missionary known for founding the Joseon Christian College, which later became Yonsei University. Kim Dong-jun from ZE:A portrayed Canadian doctor Oliver R. Avison (1860-1956), who led quarantine efforts during the outbreak of cholera and is credited with opening Severance Hospital and Severance Medical College. Ricky from Teen Top played Louis H. Severance (1838-191

Cha Eun-woo, one of Korea’s most popular singer-actors, is facing allegations of large-scale tax evasion — yet public attention is now turning to the wave of emotional support filling his social media accounts. The ASTRO member and actor recently became embroiled in allegations involving roughly 20 billion won ($14.6 million) in unpaid taxes, an amount that would mark the largest tax penalty ever imposed on a South Korean celebrity if confirmed. On Monday, Cha posted a lengthy apology on his personal social media account, directly addressing the controversy. In the statement, he said he had taken time to reflect on whether he had fulfilled his duty as a taxpayer with sufficient responsibility and seriousness. He also said that if he were not currently serving as a soldier, he would have personally visited those affected to offer an apology in person. Cha added that he would fully cooperate with all ongoing tax-related procedures and accept the final judgment of authorities with humility, taking responsibility accordingly. The allegations came as a shock to many fans, given Cha’s de

Singer and actor Cha Eun-woo, who is currently serving in the military, issued a public apology Monday over recent allegations of large-scale tax evasion, pledging full cooperation with tax authorities. In a message posted on social media, Cha said he was deeply sorry over the controversy and vowed to comply faithfully with all tax-related procedures going forward. "I will humbly accept the final judgment made by the relevant authorities and take full responsibility in accordance with the outcom

SEOUL, Jan. 26 (Yonhap) -- Singer and actor Cha Eun-woo, who is currently servin...

As allegations of large-scale tax evasion involving Chae Eun-woo — an actor and member of the idol group ASTRO — emerged, his agency released an official statement saying it will actively cooperate with authorities to clarify the matter. “The key issue is whether a company established by Cha’s mother qualifies as a legitimate subject of taxation,” Fantagio said in its statement regarding the allegation of 20 billion won ($13 million) in tax evasion. “The company will actively clarify its position through appropriate legal procedures concerning the interpretation and application of tax law.” The agency added, “Cha Eun-woo and his tax representatives will fully cooperate throughout the process to ensure it is concluded as swiftly as possible, and he will continue to faithfully fulfill all tax reporting and legal obligations as a law-abiding citizen.” Earlier in the day, Edaily reported that the National Tax Service had notified Cha of additional taxes — including income tax — totaling more than 20 billion won. According to the report, a company founded by Cha’s mothe