Ministry of Foreign Affairs: "Visa Issuance is Consular Discretion"... Yoo Seung-jun Claims "Legal Decision, Not Violation of Military Service Act"

Minister Kang Kyung-wha "No Visa Issuance Allowed After Reviewing Regulations" Reconfirmed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs on National Assembly Audit
Yoo Seung-jun Claims via SNS Appeal "Permanent Entry Ban Is a Human Rights Violation and an Unfair Judgment"

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha attended the comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related agencies at the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee held at the National Assembly on the 26th, and was seen talking with Vice Minister Lee Tae-ho during the audit. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] One day after Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha stated at the National Assembly’s 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).

In response, Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesperson Lee Jae-woong explained at a regular briefing on the 27th, "Visa issuance is at the discretion of the consular officer, taking into account various circumstances," adding, "If a visa application is submitted, as mentioned, the decision on whether to issue a visa is made after comprehensively reviewing multiple factors."

On the same day, Yoo began a lengthy appeal with "Minister of Foreign Affairs, 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, a momentary choice shattered everything. As a result of choosing U.S. citizenship, I was branded as a draft evader 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 to enlist. I may be criticized for disappointing and betraying the public, breaking trust, and choosing practical benefits in a cowardly act. However, 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 for the purpose of draft evasion for 18 years and 8 months, impose an entry ban, and continue to prohibit my entry permanently?" He added, "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 did not mean allowing Yoo’s entry but rather requiring procedural compliance. She said, "The Supreme Court ruling was for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to fulfill procedural requirements," adding, "The ruling’s intent was that the Ministry did not properly exercise its discretion. Therefore, it did not order Yoo’s entry but stated that the Ministry must fulfill procedural requirements and exercise discretion lawfully."

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 Los Angeles Consulate General to grant him a visa as an overseas Korean but was denied. This led to a lawsuit by Yoo, and after a remand trial, he won a final victory at the Supreme Court in March. However, the Supreme Court’s judgment was that the visa refusal process lacked proper procedure and did not mean that a visa must be issued. Yoo again applied for a visa at the Los Angeles Consulate General in July, was refused, and filed a lawsuit at the Seoul Administrative Court to cancel the refusal of passport and visa issuance.