The article examines a recent controversy involving the Korea Chamber of Commerce's claim that the inheritance tax burden in South Korea is driving the wealthy abroad. This claim was widely reported in the media but later found to be based on flawed statistics, prompting the Chamber to issue an apology. This incident highlights how economic organizations and the press can shape public perception and policy direction through misleading information.

It points out that while the inheritance tax rate in South Korea may seem high compared to other OECD countries, the actual burden is mitigated by various exemptions such as spousal and family deductions. As a result, only about 5.9% of inherited wealth was actually taxed last year, allowing 94 out of 100 deceased individuals' estates to avoid the inheritance tax altogether. This discrepancy between perception and reality indicates that many citizens harbor unfounded fears regarding the inheritance tax.

The article warns that the dissemination of false narratives around the inheritance tax can influence public opinion towards reducing it, despite its role in promoting wealth redistribution and ensuring equal opportunity. It criticizes media outlets for perpetuating these misconceptions without proper verification and calls for a change in journalism practices to uphold tax justice.