Veteran tax official with expertise in investigations and enforcement; championed taxpayer-friendly audit reforms

Ahn Deok-su, nominee for commissioner of the National Tax Service [Yonhap]
Ahn Deok-su, nominee for commissioner of the National Tax Service [Yonhap]

Ahn Deok-su, nominated Friday as commissioner of the National Tax Service, pledged to "do his utmost to actively support the stabilization of people's livelihoods and economic recovery, and to realize fair tax administration that meets public expectations through just and equitable taxation."

Ahn is regarded as a well-rounded tax official who has held key posts across the NTS's core functions — including investigations and enforcement — and commands deep respect within the organization.

Appointed head of the Seoul Regional Tax Office on July 3, Ahn would become the top tax authority official in just over four months if he clears a confirmation hearing.

In a statement released Friday, Ahn said he felt "a weighty sense of responsibility" at being nominated at a time when public expectations of tax administration are high, and identified stabilizing livelihoods, supporting economic recovery and ensuring fair taxation as his top priorities.

He went on to say he would "reflect deeply on the role and responsibilities of tax administration in the time ahead and prepare sincerely for the confirmation hearing."

Born in 1971, Ahn graduated from Yongin High School in Busan and studied economics at Korea University before entering public service through the 40th class of the civil service examination.

He held a series of posts at the NTS, including director of the Capital Transactions Management Division, director of the Real Estate Taxation Division, taxpayer rights advocate, and director of the Tax Base Information Division under the Investigation Bureau. He also gained hands-on tax policy experience as director of the Environment and Energy Tax Division at the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

After a posting to the Internal Revenue Service in the United States, Ahn served successively as director of Investigation Bureau 1 at the Busan Regional Tax Office, director of Investigation Bureau 1 at the Jungbu Regional Tax Office, and director of Investigation Bureau 4 at the Seoul Regional Tax Office — a unit known in business circles as the "grim reaper of the corporate world."

At NTS headquarters, he went on to serve as director of the Asset Taxation Bureau, which oversees real estate taxation and inheritance and gift taxes; director of the Tax Collection and Legal Affairs Bureau, responsible for pursuing and managing delinquent taxpayers; and director of the Investigation Bureau — before taking up his current post as head of the Seoul Regional Tax Office.

As Investigation Bureau director under the Lee Jae Myung administration, Ahn advanced a "considerate tax audit" approach and introduced a scheduling-choice system allowing businesses and small merchants to select, within a three-month window, when they receive their regular tax audits.

He also oversaw major investigations into tax evasion tied to harm to public welfare, monopolistic practices in the food industry, and unfair trading in the stock market by share-price manipulation rings.

Ahn is widely described by colleagues as generous in character and well regarded by both senior and junior officials alike.

His career profile: born in Busan (age 55); Yongin High School and Korea University (economics); passed the civil service examination (40th class); director of the Environment and Energy Tax Division at the Ministry of Economy and Finance; director of the Operations Support Division at the Seoul Regional Tax Office; director of the Capital Transactions Management Division at the NTS; director of the Real Estate Taxation Division at the NTS; taxpayer rights advocate at the NTS; director of the Tax Base Information Division under the NTS Investigation Bureau; director of the Tax Collection and Litigation Bureau at the Busan Regional Tax Office; posted to the Internal Revenue Service in the United States; director of Investigation Bureau 1 at the Busan Regional Tax Office; director of Investigation Bureau 1 at the Jungbu Regional Tax Office; director of Investigation Bureau 4 at the Seoul Regional Tax Office; director of the Litigation Bureau at the Seoul Regional Tax Office; director of the Asset Taxation Bureau at the NTS; director of the Tax Collection and Legal Affairs Bureau at the NTS; director of the Investigation Bureau at the NTS; head of the Seoul Regional Tax Office.


oskymoon@heraldcorp.com