National Tax Service says it has addressed audit issues flagged repeatedly by National Assembly

The National Tax Service said Monday it has taken effective action on issues raised two or more times during National Assembly national audits over the past five years, including calls to crack down on illegal tax evasion.

In response to demands for a stricter crackdown on real estate tax evasion that distorts market order, the agency said it has been conducting comprehensive reviews of ultra-high-value housing transactions — those involving properties worth 3 billion won ($2.24 million) or more — since last year. It is also rigorously verifying the sources of funds used by minors and foreign nationals to acquire high-priced homes.

The agency also said it has operated a real estate tax-evasion reporting center since October last year and has built a response system that receives funding-plan documents from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in real time.

On the call to eradicate sophisticated and malicious offshore tax evasion, the National Tax Service said it has signed tax-collection cooperation MOUs with seven countries since August last year and is recovering hidden assets.

In response to the Assembly's call for greater support for subsistence-level tax delinquents, the agency said it introduced a tax-obligation extinguishment regime in March.

Through the National Tax Delinquency Management Corps, the agency conducted on-site assessments beginning that same month and, by July, had extinguished delinquency obligations totaling 81.7 billion won for 4,992 subsistence-level delinquents.

It added that 1,667 delinquents facing hardship due to illness or accidents are receiving tailored support, including referrals to local government welfare services.

"We will continue working to ensure that the National Assembly's observations translate into meaningful improvements and results," the agency said, adding that it plans to "listen humbly and actively seek ways to improve" in response to issues raised at this year's upcoming national audit.