The Ministry Of National Defense Addresses Disciplinary Action Request Against ASTRO’s Cha Eunwoo Following Tax Evasion

The Ministry of National Defense’s response regarding a netizen’s petition to review ASTRO Cha Eunwoo’s military band assignment following his tax evasion scandal has been revealed.

The Ministry’s Inspection Office of the Support Group replied, “The individual does not meet the criteria for reassignment as defined in Article 14 (Reassignment, etc.) of the Ministry of National Defense Personnel Management Directive, so he will continue in his current role.”

According to Article 14 of the defense directive, reassignment is limited to cases such as inability to perform duties due to accident or illness, unit disbandment or reorganization, ineligibility, or when the Chief of Staff of each service deems it necessary for perpetrators or victims in incidents like assault or those subject to disciplinary action. Cha Eunwoo’s case was judged not to fall under these conditions.

Last year, Cha Eunwoo underwent intensive investigation by the 4th Division of the Seoul Regional Tax Office on allegations of tax evasion and was notified of a back tax collection exceeding ₩20.0 billion KRW (about $13.8 million USD).

On April 8, Cha Eunwoo stated, “I respect the tax office’s procedures and results and have paid all related taxes to prevent any further confusion. I will also sincerely comply with the remaining procedures.”

However, due to overlap in corporate and value-added tax payments previously made, a refund process is underway, and it is known that the actual amount paid was about ₩13.0 billion KRW (about $8.99 million USD), not ₩20.0 billion KRW (about $13.8 million USD).