Korea: Citizens’ tax revolution

The Tax Revolution Party (TRP), a citizen taxpayer organization, officially launched on Friday. They stated, “Tax justice is being severely compromised because of a tax system that one-sidedly favors conglomerates and the real estate tycoons, and the expedients they use.” TRP also announced the goals of “realizing participatory democracy and rectifying tax justice by placing direct political pressure on the government and politicians.”

The TRP has said that rather than being a political party, it would operate as a permanent organization like the U.S. organization MoveOn working to uphold citizen rights and set an agenda. The participants are passionate in their desire to effect financial reforms and realize tax justice. We look forward to seeing TRP set deep roots and serving as a catalyst for change in the framework of national finances.

Taxes are the fundamental reason that the Lee Myung-bak administration’s “Fair Society” campaign pledge rings hollow. The tax burden on high-income earners has dropped sharply due to tax cuts for the wealthy, and passing down property without taxes has persisted as people have evaded lax law enforcement. Low-income earners in need of assistance are driven into critical circumstances as budget monies become poured into construction projects and development, and even fiscal soundness is deteriorating.

~ more... ~