Yet Another Big Name Korean Celeb Is Paying Back A Massive Amount In Evaded Taxes

A top but controversial Korean celebrity is currently paying off tax arrears amounting to around ₩400 million KRW (about $262,000 USD).

According to a report by My Daily on July 6th, boy group member-turned-soloist and actor Park Yoochun recently submitted an installment payment plan to the National Tax Service and has been making sequential payments according to this plan. Payments are proceeding as scheduled, and he is expected to fully settle the amount within this year.

Park Yoochun’s name appeared on the list of high-amount and habitual tax delinquents released by the National Tax Service in 2023. At that time, he was publicly listed for failing to pay a total of five tax cases, including capital gains tax from 2016, amounting to about ₩409 million KRW (about $268,000 USD).

Currently active mainly in Japan, Park recently shared his feelings regarding the tax issue through a fan platform.

He said, “I apologize for causing you a lot of worry and inconvenience over a long period due to court cases and tax issues in Korea,” adding, “I am now walking a happy path that I couldn’t have imagined a few years ago. I am reflecting on past mistakes and learning about life.”

He continued, “Although I am still inexperienced and lacking in some areas, I am trying to live each given moment meaningfully.”

Park Yoochun debuted in 2003 as a member of the group TVXQ and gained great popularity. In 2009, he formed the group JYJ with Kim Jaejoong and Kim Junsu and continued activities.

He became embroiled in a sexual misconduct scandal in 2016 and was sentenced to 10 months in prison with a 2-year probation in 2019 for methamphetamine use.

At that time, he denied the charges and said, “If drug use is proven true, I will retire from the entertainment industry,” but after the guilty verdict, he revoked his retirement announcement and resumed activities.

He is currently holding fan meetings and performances in Japan.