"Not a Violation of Military Service Act but a Legal Decision" Yoo Seung-jun Appeals Directly to Minister Kang Kyung-wha

"Decision Not to Allow Visa Issuance" Minister Kang's Statement at National Assembly Audit Followed by SNS Post a Day Later
Mr. Yoo Claims "Permanent Entry Ban Is a Clear Human Rights Violation and an Unfair Judgment"... Requests Entry Permission

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] One day after Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha stated at the National Assembly audit that the government had reviewed relevant regulations and decided not to grant a visa to singer Yoo Seung-jun (Steve Yoo), Yoo posted an appeal to the minister on social networking services (SNS).

On the 27th, Yoo began his lengthy appeal with "Foreign Minister, this is singer Yoo Seung-jun. Do you know me?" He stated that although he could not keep his promise to fans regarding military enlistment, he did not violate the Military Service Act.

He said, "I am a singer who was active in Korea a long time ago," and added, "In February 2002, everything was shattered by a momentary choice. As a result of choosing U.S. citizenship, I was branded as a draft dodger who harms the interests and public safety of the Republic of Korea and became subject to an indefinite entry ban."

Nevertheless, he emphasized that his past decision not to enlist was a legal one that did not violate the Military Service Act. Yoo wrote, "I still feel very sorry for not keeping my promise to fans who wanted me to enlist. I caused disappointment and betrayal to the public and was criticized for a cowardly act that abandoned trust and chose practical benefits," but he added, "At least I did not violate the Military Service Act. The decision I made was legal."

He argued that the Korean government's permanent entry ban is a human rights violation and an unfair judgment. Yoo said, "Do you think it is right to consider me as having acquired foreign citizenship to evade military service for 18 years and 8 months, impose an entry ban, and continue to prohibit my entry permanently?" He added, "I believe this is a clear human rights violation and an unfair judgment."

He further appealed, "Minister, please reconsider my indefinite entry ban issue and now allow my entry."

Earlier, Minister Kang stated that the government would continue not to issue a visa to Yoo, who is restricted from entering due to draft evasion. At the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee audit on the 26th, in response to Rep. Ahn Min-seok's question, "Do you think the entry ban on Steve Yoo should continue?" Kang said, "The government reviewed relevant regulations and made a decision," and added, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue not to allow visa issuance."

Regarding the Supreme Court ruling in March related to Yoo's case, Kang emphasized that it meant to fulfill procedural requirements, not to allow Yoo's entry. Kang said, "The Supreme Court ruling was for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to fulfill procedural requirements," and explained, "The ruling's intent was that the Ministry did not properly exercise discretion. Therefore, it did not order Yoo's entry but ruled that the Ministry must fulfill procedural requirements and properly exercise discretion."

Yoo renounced his Korean nationality in 2002 to evade military service. Consequently, the Ministry of Justice restricted his entry. Later, in September 2015, Yoo requested the LA Consulate General to allow him to enter with an overseas Korean visa, but the visa issuance was denied. This matter led to Yoo's lawsuit, and after a retrial, he finally won at the Supreme Court in March. However, the Supreme Court's judgment was that the visa issuance refusal process lacked proper procedure, not that a visa must be issued. Yoo again applied to the LA Consulate General in July, which refused to issue a visa, leading him to file a lawsuit at the Seoul Administrative Court to cancel the refusal of passport and visa issuance.