By Lee Hyo-sik
Staff Reporter

The National Tax Service (NTS) is seeking to inquire into communication records of individuals or organizations suspected of evading taxes.

But the NTS is expected to invite strong criticism from civic activist groups and other government agencies as its latest move to access to the individuals’ phone conversations could constitute an infringement of privacy.

Law enforcement agencies, including the prosecutors’ office and the policy, can currently file a request to the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) for an inquiry of communication documents of only suspected criminals.

The agency has asked the government to revise the relevant communication law, allowing it to access to the communication records, including landline and wireless phone conversations, of potential tax evaders.

``It has become increasingly more difficult to trace assets held by tax dodgers as they utilize more sophisticated and intelligent methods to hide their money,’’ a NTS official said.

``We think it will be essential to equip ourselves with the legal authority to crack down on chronic tax evaders who employ various strategies.’’

Mindful of a potential backfire from the public, the NTS also said that it will not inquire into the records when carrying out routine tax audits, and closely cooperate with the MIC before requesting for recorded conversations and other relevant records.

The agency plans to submit the revised bill to the cabinet meeting in the near future after a series of consultation meetings with the relevant government ministries, the official added.

But the MIC is taking a lukewarm attitude toward the NTS’s proposal, saying that the current law entitles only the prosecutors’ office and the policy can request for suspected criminals’ communication records, only if proven necessary to the investigation.

``We have not yet discussed the matter with the NTS,’’ a MIC official said.

``Our principle is that only the law enforcement authorities can legitimately ask us to provide phone and other forms of communication records if such information is crucial to the criminal investigation.’’

``We do not think that the NTS will be empowered with such investigative rights as its move could create a wide array of problems, including the issue of the invasion of privacy,’’ he added.

leehs@koreatimes.co.kr