A civil petition has reportedly been submitted to the Ministry of National Defense requesting a review of singer and actor Cha Eun Woo’s military band assignment, as controversy continues surrounding his ongoing tax case.
On January 28, an informant stated that they filed a complaint asking the ministry to reexamine the appropriateness of Private Cha Eun Woo’s position in the military band. The petitioner said the request was made after reports that the National Tax Service (NTS) notified the star of a tax reassessment exceeding 20 billion KRW (approximately 13.8 million USD).
The informant explained, “I believe this matter could affect the military’s external credibility and troop morale, so I submitted a report requesting a reassessment of the suitability of Private Cha Eun Woo’s military band position and a review of possible reassignment.”
Screenshots of the petition submitted through the government’s civil complaint system were also shared. The petitioner noted that the Ministry of National Defense honor guard and military band, under military administrative regulations, are primarily tasked with supporting major state-led events. These include national celebrations, presidential inaugurations, events related to presidential foreign visits, official ceremonies for visiting dignitaries, government-designated commemorative days, key policy events approved by the Cabinet, international events hosted domestically upon request, traditional state ceremonies, and state funerals. Because of this, the units are considered to carry high symbolic value and public visibility.
The petitioner added, “While the substance of this matter should ultimately be clarified through proper procedures by relevant authorities, the scale and impact of the controversy are already significant. There are concerns it could lead to a sense of relative deprivation among service members and damage trust in the military’s fairness and integrity. Given these characteristics, a military band position requires a higher level of suitability screening and risk management than ordinary assignments, especially in terms of public trust, representation, and troop morale.”
According to the informant, a ministry official in charge of civil complaints said the case has been assigned to the inspection office of Cha Eun Woo’s unit. The official reportedly explained that measures such as fact-checking or investigation would be taken if necessary, and that a response or follow-up action would be determined after reviewing the facts and the need for further steps.
Previously, the Seoul Regional Tax Office conducted an intensive tax investigation into Cha Eun Woo in the first half of 2025 and notified him of an income tax reassessment reportedly exceeding 20 billion KRW (approximately 13.8 million USD). Reports have described it as one of the largest tax reassessment amounts ever imposed on an entertainer. Tax authorities are said to be examining whether a corporation established by Cha Eun Woo’s mother was used in a way that resulted in the application of corporate tax rates lower than personal income tax rates. However, the case has not been finalized.
Under current law, if the Act on the Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes were to apply and the amount of tax evasion exceeded 1 billion KRW (approximately 701,800 USD), severe criminal penalties could be possible. However, if the case is concluded as underreporting due to differences in tax law interpretation or as tax avoidance rather than evasion, it may remain a matter of additional tax payment and moral responsibility rather than criminal punishment.
Cha Eun Woo’s agency, Fantagio, previously stated that the key issue is whether the corporation established by his mother qualifies as a substantive taxation entity, emphasizing that the matter has not been definitively confirmed. The company said it would actively clarify issues related to legal interpretation through proper procedures. In a follow-up statement, the agency added that facts are still being verified under tax authority procedures and that both the company and the artist are cooperating within the necessary scope, urging the public to refrain from unverified speculation or excessive interpretation.
Meanwhile, some brands that previously worked with Cha Eun Woo have reportedly reduced his visibility in advertisements. On January 27, a video featuring him on the Ministry of National Defense–affiliated YouTube channel KFN Plus was also set to private. Cha Eun Woo had appeared in the video as part of his military promotional duties, but it was made unavailable following the growing controversy.
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