[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] The National Tax Service (NTS) has launched a special tax investigation into Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (hereinafter Shincheonji). This is the largest-scale investigation ever conducted on a religious organization, with about 200 personnel from the Seoul Regional Tax Office deployed for the surprise probe.
According to authorities on the 28th, the 4th Investigation Division of the Seoul Regional Tax Office began an unannounced investigation into Shincheonji religious organizations nationwide this morning and secured related materials. Shincheonji is estimated to have 1,100 affiliated institutions across dozens of regions nationwide, in addition to its 12 branches.
Since February, Shincheonji has been identified as the epicenter of the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions. Chairman Lee Man-hee and the leadership are suspected of breach of trust, embezzlement, and tax evasion. Given the NTS’s characteristic of conducting thorough preliminary investigations and only proceeding with taxpayer audits when there is solid evidence, it is expected that a considerable amount of information has been accumulated so far.
The tax evasion allegations against Shincheonji identified by the NTS are reportedly related to recent prosecution complaints. Chairman Lee Man-hee has been reported to the prosecution for allegedly embezzling offerings from church members and violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, and is under investigation. Shincheonji has collected construction offerings for the headquarters building for nearly 20 years under the pretext of building a temple, but actual construction has not taken place. If donated assets were used for purposes other than their original intent, it could constitute evasion of gift tax.
In addition to the NTS, Shincheonji is currently under investigation by the prosecution, police, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government. An NTS official stated, "Since the Shincheonji investigation concerns individual taxpayers, we cannot officially comment on whether an investigation is underway."
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