Beer and Soju Makers Petition Against High Taxes

Beer and soju makers have started a petition campaign to obstruct the planned liquor tax raise.
Beer companies began their 'petition campaign for the one million citizens who want to lower the beer tax' on August 25, while soju makers decided to conduct a 'petition campaign for the 2 million people who object to the soju tax raise' from the end of this week.
The 'Big 3' domestic beer makers, Jinro, Hite and OB, conducted the campaign Wednesday in Kangnam station, Taehak-ro and Yongdungpo, Seoul, saying, 'To levy a 130-percent tax on beer, which is higher than the 100 percent on whisky and the 35 percent on soju, is unreasonable. The tax on beer must be reduced to 75 percent at the highest.'
Ten soju makers held a presidential meeting and agreed to launch the signature-seeking campaign in 10 cities across the country, while discussing the matter with citizens on the Internet.
The Ministry of Finance and Economy is reportedly preparing a revised liquor tax bill which raises the soju tax to 100 percent and maintains the beer tax at the current 130 percent.
Kang Joo-an : jooan@joongang.co.kr