Yoo Seung-jun's Side: "Not Even a Terrorist... Permanent Entry Ban Is Excessive"

Regarding Tax Evasion Accusations, "Never Caused Tax Issues"

Singer Yoo Seung-jun expressing his opinion during a physical examination in August 2001./Photo by Netv. TV Entertainment Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seul-gi] The side of singer Yoo Seung-jun (American name Steve Yoo, 44), who has been banned from entering the country due to controversy over military service refusal, said on the 15th, "Unless someone is a terrorist or a serious criminal, the government does not make a permanent entry ban decision against an individual."

Yoo's legal representative, lawyer Kim Hyung-soo, said in an interview with KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs' on the same day, "Yoo is the only case in the history of the Republic of Korea where a permanent entry ban decision was made solely because of evading military service."

He added, "Even according to the Ministry of Justice's internal guidelines, entry bans are imposed for a set period depending on the severity of the crime committed," and "As far as I know, after that period passes, there is no problem with re-entry."

Regarding suspicions that Yoo is attempting to enter the country as a means of tax evasion, he refuted, "That is completely untrue. Simply entering the country does not cause tax benefits or tax evasion issues."

He explained, "There has been no tax issue related to Yoo in the past or present, and it seems there will be no problems in the future."

Lawyer Kim said, "The reason Yoo wants to enter (Korea) is not for any special reason, but simply because he wants to enter Korea," and "Because there is a permanent entry ban, he wishes to resolve that."

Earlier, Yoo appealed, saying, "Although I made a mistake as an entertainer by not keeping my promise, the government's blocking me from setting foot in Korea for decades is a clear discrimination and human rights violation."

On the 13th, Yoo said in a post on his Instagram, "I still feel sorry for disappointing many people by not keeping my promise to serve in the military back in 2002."