Cha Eun-woo Apologizes for Tax Evasion Allegations; Supported by Influencer Lee Joo-young

Cha Eun-woo, a popular singer and actor, recently issued an apology on Instagram regarding tax evasion allegations, expressing his regret for disappointing and confusing his fans and the public.

In his heartfelt message, Cha Eun-woo stated, "I sincerely apologize for the recent tax-related controversy involving me, which has caused disappointment and confusion among my fans and many others." He acknowledged the gravity of the situation, saying, "As someone who has received immense love and support, I take this matter very seriously. If there were any oversights on my part, I accept full responsibility."

Cha Eun-woo further assured his followers that he respects the procedures and outcomes of the National Tax Service and has paid all related taxes to prevent further confusion. He committed to cooperating fully with any remaining procedures.

Notably, Lee Joo-young, the fourth-generation heir of the Daelim Group and a well-known influencer, showed her support by liking Cha Eun-woo's post. As of 7 a.m. on the 9th, she was the only celebrity to do so, aside from his fans.

Earlier, on January 22, it was reported that Cha Eun-woo was notified by the National Tax Service of a tax penalty exceeding 20 billion KRW. The allegations suggested that he evaded taxes by channeling income through a corporation under his mother's name, thereby benefiting from a lower corporate tax rate instead of paying higher personal income taxes.

This incident placed Cha Eun-woo as the sixth most notorious celebrity for tax evasion globally, following the likes of Fan Bingbing, Zheng Shuang, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Meanwhile, Lee Joo-young is the granddaughter of Lee Jun-yong, the honorary chairman of Daelim Group, and the daughter of Lee Hae-chang, the former executive vice president of Daelim Corporation. Born in 2000, she is currently 26 years old and was ranked fourth in a 2019 'Sisa Journal' survey on stock ownership among minors under 19.

Lee Joo-young is currently studying law at Georgetown University Law School and is active as an influencer and YouTuber.

Jung Da-yeon, TenAsia Reporter light@tenasia.co.kr