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| Korean American singer Yoo Seung-jun presents his American passport at Incheon International Airport on Feb. 2, 2002. Yonhap |
By Kim Se-jeong
The Korean consulate general in Los Angeles turned down the latest visa application filed by Korean American singer Yoo Seung-jun ― also known as Steve Yoo ― despite the Korean top court's decision last year to grant him entry, according to Yoo's lawyers.
In response, Yoo's lawyers filed an administrative suit Monday.
"In reflection of the court decision, Yoon applied for a visa, but was again rejected on the basis that his change of citizenship in 2002 could compromise Korea's security and diplomacy. We view the decision is not right and filed the administrative suit to correct the injustice," Yoo's lawyers said in a press release, Wednesday.
In 2015, Yoon applied for an F-4 (ethnic Korean) visa and filed the suit after his request was rejected. Local and high courts sided with the government, stating that Yoo's return could demoralize young soldiers and encourage young people to seek ways to evade conscription.
But the Supreme Court sent the case back to the high court on July 11 last year, claiming the entry ban on Yoo lacked appropriate legal basis and was far too long ― 17 years ― for evading conscription. The high court ruled in favor of him in November.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended its decision Wednesday saying, "Yoo applied for an F-4 visa and the consulate general in Los Angeles rejected it after taking all relevant issues into consideration. The fact that one has all the standard qualifications doesn't immediately guarantee them a visa automatically."
Yoo wasn't available for comment.
His lawyers have stated, "Yoo still regrets what he did in 2002. However, the Korean government's resultant indefinite entry ban was excessive and the Supreme Court acknowledged that. It's unjust for the government to mobilize its power to deprive an individual of his opportunity to explain himself and to demonize him and his family. It is a human rights violation."
Debuting in 1997, Yoo became one of the most popular singers in Korea. However, in January 2002, right before his conscription deadline, he gave up his Korean citizenship for U.S. citizenship, a move that resulted in him dodging Korea's mandatory military service.
The move sparked a huge public outcry against Yoo. The Ministry of Justice imposed an entry ban on him in response and the government also changed the laws to prevent draft dodging.
In Korea, all able-bodied men over the age of 20 are subject to mandatory military service for around two years.
