Controversy Over 'Business Owner Moon Jae-in' on Receipts from Foundation Project Pyeong Bookstore

Simultaneous Registration of Corporate and Mun Business Operators at One Address
Accountant Kim Kyung-yul Faces Consecutive Criticism on SNS
Mun Side: "Delay in Administrative Processing of Foundation Corporation"

Former President Moon Jae-in's 'Pyeongsan Bookstore,' which opened last month under the pretext of a public interest project, has sparked controversy after it was revealed that, contrary to the information stating it was under the name of a foundation corporation, it is actually operated under Moon's personal business registration. Critics argue that since the bookstore's operating profits go to 'individual Moon Jae-in' rather than a 'public interest foundation,' it is far from serving the public interest.

According to the Pyeongsan Bookstore website on the 9th, the bookstore is stated to be operated by the 'Foundation Corporation Pyeongsan Bookstore.'

Former President Moon Jae-in's "Pyeongsan Bookstore," which opened last month under the pretext of a public interest project, has become embroiled in controversy after it was revealed that, contrary to the notice stating it was under the name of a foundation corporation, it is actually operated under Moon's personal business registration.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

In his opening remarks for the bookstore, former President Moon said, "The bookstore operation is handled by the Foundation Corporation Pyeongsan Bookstore and the Bookstore Operation Committee, which includes local residents," adding, "All profits will belong to the foundation, and any surplus will be used for public interest projects." The business registration number of Pyeongsan Bookstore disclosed on the website is 520-○○-○○○○○, and the representative's name is listed as 'Ahn Do-hyun.'

However, receipts posted online by visitors to Pyeongsan Bookstore show different business information from that on the website. The business registration number is 448-△△-△△△△△, and the representative's name is printed as 'Moon Jae-in.' The business addresses for both entities are the same.

Accountant Kim Kyung-yul points out on SNS that clarification is needed

In response, accounting experts claim that clarification is necessary. Accountant Kim Kyung-yul posted on Facebook, "They claim that book sales profits belong to the foundation and will be used for public interest projects, yet they are openly selling books under the name of a personal business with the same name at the same location."

He added, "In principle, two business operators cannot exist at one business location," and argued, "If an exception was made for former President Moon Jae-in, that itself raises concerns of preferential treatment."

Accountant Kim Kyung-yul posted on Facebook, "They claim to attribute the book sales revenue to the foundation for public interest projects, but they are openly selling books under the same name of a sole proprietorship at the same location."
[Photo by Accountant Kim Kyung-yul]

He continued, "First, you must clarify the lie that all previous book sales profits belonged to the foundation and that the profits would be used for public interest projects," criticizing, "You should consider yourself lucky that this issue surfaced in just over ten days." He further stated, "The only solution to this situation is for former President Moon Jae-in's personal business to be closed immediately," and "Moreover, the very idea of creating a foundation to conduct public interest projects is overambitious. Since all businesses are conducted under personal names anyway, I believe the public interest foundation should also be closed."

He added, "Imagine if this was revealed in 2024. The turmoil then would be very different from now," and emphasized, "The best way to minimize damage at this point is to dissolve both the Foundation Corporation Pyeongsan Bookstore and the personal business Pyeongsan Bookstore under Moon Jae-in."

In response, former President Moon's side stated in a media interview, "The administrative processing of the foundation corporation was delayed, so it was temporarily operated under a personal business registration, but all profits belong to the Foundation Corporation Pyeongsan Bookstore," and requested, "Please refrain from unnecessary speculation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.