Under Korean tax law, religious facilities are tax exempt unless used for non-religious purposes.
In a statement, the temple's staff said, ``When the ward office levied taxes on Tongdo Temple, the facility in question was solely used for religious events. Thus the taxes we paid should be refunded.''
Seongbuk denied the allegation, saying part of the temple was used for other purposes at the time.
``We confirmed at that time that part of the temple was transformed into residential facilities for visitors. Therefore, the tax in question was proper,'' ward official Shim Ki-woong told The Korea Times.
