South Korea converts monks and priests to taxpayers

SEOUL – After a debate stretching back more than 40 years, South Korea’s parliament has approved a bill that will finally compel the country’s influential clergy to pay taxes.

The bill was passed shortly before midnight Wednesday by 195 votes to 20, with 50 legislators abstaining.

It has been a long road to legislation, with previous efforts to bring monks, priests and pastors into the national tax fold being repeatedly foiled by vehement clerical opposition and political timidity.

In a reflection of the issue’s sensitivity, the new bill has a lengthy built-in time delay, only coming into effect from the start of 2018.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2015/12/03/asia-pacific/south-korea-converts-monks-priests-taxpayers/#.VmCVaV7E_Mr