Park Yoo Chun suspected of evading 490 million KRW in taxes

Park Yoo Chun, a former member of TVXQ and JYJ, finds himself entangled in yet another controversy, this time related to tax issues. This follows his acquittal in a sexual assault case, suspicions of drug use, and more.

In June 2016, Park Yoo Chun faced multiple accusations of sexual assault, gaining widespread attention. Despite the allegations, he was cleared of all charges related to four sexual assault cases. He had previously pledged to retire from the entertainment industry if any criminal activity on his part was proven.

While his public image took a hit, Park Yoo Chun managed to avoid the worst-case scenario of being found guilty. In April 2017, just before his military discharge, he surprised the public by announcing an unexpected marriage, once again garnering attention.

However, the marriage ultimately did not occur, and new challenges arose: He was accused of drug use.

 In 2019, Park Yoo Chun firmly declared his innocence regarding drug allegations, staking his entertainment career on it. Nevertheless, he was later found guilty of violating drug control laws, resulting in a suspended prison term of two years, probation, drug treatment, and a fine of 1.4 million KRW (~1,085 USD).

Despite facing these controversies, Park Yoo Chun aimed for a comeback, establishing a new management company alongside a longtime manager. Unfortunately, ongoing disputes within the agency have resulted in the removal of all content associated with Park Yoochun, indicating a second round of internal conflicts within the organization.

In a recent development that adds to the existing chaos, the National Tax Service revealed on December 14 a list spotlighting high-earning individuals and organizations who have been dodging their tax responsibilities. This list includes 31 individuals notorious for evading taxes through online portals and 41 dishonest charitable organizations. Surprisingly, Park Yoo Chun's name was on the list. According to the National Tax Service, Park has been evading taxes, including capital gains tax, since 2016, leading to an accumulated evasion of about 490 million KRW, which is roughly 379,758 USD.

The situation around Park Yoochun is further muddled by the unclear status of his management company, leaving many wondering if there will be any clarity or accountability from his end. The public's disappointment in him has been growing, not just because of this incident but due to a string of controversies that have marred his image over the years.