Actor Lee Min-ki's side has drawn a line against allegations of intentional tax evasion regarding the collection of a large sum of back taxes, explaining that the issue "stemmed from differences in the interpretation of tax laws."
On May 20, Lee Min-ki's agency, Sangyoung ENT, released an official statement, saying, "Since his debut, Lee Min-ki has complied with tax laws and faithfully fulfilled his tax obligations." They added, "During the recent tax audit process, he transparently submitted all relevant documents and cooperated sincerely with the investigation."
Earlier today, a media outlet reported that the Seoul Regional Tax Office conducted an intensive tax audit on actors Lee Yi-kyung and Lee Min-ki, both under Sangyoung ENT, from March to April, and levied a large sum in back taxes. Lee Min-ki had established and operated a one-person agency, M-momi Co., Ltd., in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, in July 2021.
Sangyoung ENT explained, "The result of this tax audit arose from differences in the interpretation of tax law standards for cost processing during corporate operations between the tax authorities and our agency."
They emphasized, "There was absolutely no intentional omission of income or fraudulent tax evasion," adding, "We respect the results of the National Tax Service's audit, and the levied penalty has been paid without delay in accordance with the relevant procedures."
Finally, the agency apologized, saying, "We sincerely apologize for causing concern to many people. We will thoroughly review our tax and accounting management systems to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future."
Meanwhile, it was revealed that another actor under Sangyoung ENT, Lee Yi-kyung, also recently received a tax penalty notice during the operation of his own one-person agency. At the time, the agency offered a similar explanation for Lee Yi-kyung's case, stating, "The issue arose from differences in the interpretation of tax law standards for cost processing during corporate operations between the tax authorities and our agency," and asserting, "There was absolutely no intentional omission of income or fraudulent tax evasion."
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)