'Actor Jang Keun-suk didn't know about mother's alleged tax dodge'

By Dong Sun-hwa

Actor Jang Keun-suk did not have a clue about his mother's alleged tax evasion, according to his manager Kim Byung-gun, Thursday.

Seoul Central Prosecutors' Office indicted Jang's mother ― surnamed Jeon ― without detention on March 30 for allegedly dodging tax.

Jeon, CEO of entertainment firm Tree J Company that represents Jang, is suspected of not reporting her son's foreign earnings and withdrawing them in cash in Hong Kong to avoid paying Korean tax.

“So far, Jang has solely focused on his acting career and has known nothing of the fund use,” Kim said in a statement. “His mother has been in charge of the company's management and money operation. The problem is the consequence of Jeon's dogmatic management and she is the one responsible.”

Kim said Jang had decided to leave Tree J Company and establish his own agency with him when the actor returns to civilian life in July.

Jang has been doing alternative work for his obligatory military service since July 2018. He could not do active duty because of bipolar disorder, which causes mood swings. He was diagnosed in 2011.

“The actor has been very shocked by the news and lost his trust in his mother,” Kim said.

Jang debuted as a model for children's wear in 1993. His fame escalated thanks to hit dramas including "Beethoven Virus" (2008) and "You're Beautiful" (2009).