According to officials from the Ganghwa County Bureau, an inspection was carried out on January 26 at an address in Ganghwa registered as the business location of Cha Eun-woo’s company. The inspection followed a public controversy surrounding the actor. However, authorities found no office equipment, furniture or structures suitable for business operations at the site.
The address in question belonged to an eel restaurant that opened in 2020 under Cha Eun-woo’s mother’s name and has been in business for about five years. After Cha Eun-woo joined the army in July last year, the restaurant closed for renovations. Construction work has since stopped and the location is not currently operational.
An official from Ganghwa county said this the absence of office infrastructure made it difficult to recognize the space as a legitimate business office. On the same day of the inspection, the company submitted an application to change its registered office to Gangnam District, and the transfer was processed immediately.
Contrary to what some reports suggested otherwise, it was confirmed that the company registered at the Eel Restaurant address is officially registered as a folk cultural and arts planning company, which triggered an inspection. It has also been reported that Cha Eun-woo runs two separate companies, one of which is registered in this category while the other is not.
Previously, Cha Eun-woo was investigated by the Seoul Regional Tax Bureau over alleged tax matters, with reports indicating that authorities had recently notified him of a tax assessment exceeding 200 billion won. In response, his agency Fantagio said this on January 22 the central question concerns whether a company founded by Cha Eun-woo’s mother qualifies as a taxable entity. The agency underlines this the issue has not been settled and that it intends to actively clarify legal interpretations through appropriate procedures.
On January 26, Cha Eun-woo personally addressed the controversy via social media, apologizing for causing concern and stating that he is thinking deeply about his responsibility as a citizen to fulfill his tax obligations. Fantagio then reiterated that both the company and the artist are fully cooperating with the ongoing procedures and will take appropriate measures once the legal and administrative judgments have been finalized.
Sources: Daum
