Strong Support for Government Plan to Tax Religious Groups

The results of a survey of 505 Koreans’ thoughts regarding the taxation of “revenue” collected by religious denominations was released by research agency Real Meter on August 24. (Image: Yonhap)

SEOUL, Aug. 25 (Korea Bizwire) — The results of a survey of 505 Koreans’ thoughts regarding the taxation of “revenue” collected by religious denominations was released by research agency Real Meter on August 24.

When asked whether the government should go forward with the intended implementation of taxation for religious leaders next year, 78.1 percent of the surveyed responded “Yes”.

Another 9 percent responded “No”, and 5.2 percent responded “Postpone”.

Regions with the highest proportion of “Yes” respondents were Seoul (85.4 percent), Gyeonggi and Incheon (83.2 percent) and Daegu and North Gyeongbuk (78.3 percent). (Image: Yonhap)

Regions with the highest proportion of “Yes” respondents were Seoul (85.4 percent), Gyeonggi and Incheon (83.2 percent) and Daegu and North Gyeongbuk (78.3 percent).

When divided into 10-year age groups, the proportion of those in favor of taxation was lower among the elderly, though still higher than 50 percent. Percentages were 88, 78.8, 90.6, 75.8 and 61.4 percent for respondents in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s, respectively.

Support for the taxation policy was high despite political leanings. The majority of progressives, conservatives, and moderates responded “Yes” to taxation at 87.3, 74.5 and 80.2 percent, respectively.

S.B.W. (sbw266@koreabizwire.com)