Yu Seung-jun, who claimed to be an exemption, not draft evasion... Seo Wook calls him a "draft evader violating the Constitution"

Mojonghwa: "Steven Yu a Military Service Exempt? This Misleads the Public"

Singer Yoo Seung-jun (American name Steven Seung-jun Yoo). Photo by Yoo Seung-jun, YouTube video capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Seo Wook, Minister of National Defense, stated on the 23rd regarding the entry ban on singer Yoo Seung-jun (44, U.S. name Steven Seung-jun Yoo), "Steve Yoo is a draft evader who lost his nationality for the purpose of avoiding military service."

Minister Seo made this remark during the plenary session of the National Defense Committee at the National Assembly in response to Kim Byung-joo of the Democratic Party's comment that "Steve Yoo is a typical case of draft evasion."

Minister Seo referred to Yoo only as "Steve Yoo," not "Yoo Seung-jun," and pointed out, "(He) violated the constitution as a person obligated to fulfill military service."

Mo Jong-hwa, Commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration, also emphasized, "Steve Yoo is the only person who earned profits while active domestically and received a draft notice before acquiring U.S. citizenship," adding, "He claims to be exempt from military service, but this is misleading the public."

Commissioner Mo also raised the document, saying, "(Yoo) submitted an overseas travel permit application when leaving the country."

He continued, "He promised in the application to return from the U.S. by a certain date and time," and said, "However, since he acquired U.S. citizenship, he is clearly a draft evader."

Defense Minister Seo Wook is giving a briefing on current issues at the National Assembly Defense Committee plenary session held in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 23rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, Yoo claimed on his YouTube channel last month that he is "exempt from military service."

Yoo said, "The law must be fair and equal to everyone. The conclusion should not change depending on the subject for any reason," and questioned, "Am I someone who committed a crime warranting deportation? I did not commit any illegal acts. The choice I made was not unlawful. I am exempt from military service, not a draft evader. What is my crime?"

He also questioned, "The government unilaterally intervened without fair legal judgment or due process, considering acquiring citizenship as draft evasion," and asked, "Is it fair and just to ban one individual's entry for nearly 19 years?"

He added, "If I truly violated the law or committed illegal acts, I should rightfully be punished," and argued, "If not, the government and Ministry of Justice must apologize and take responsibility for brutally violating and infringing on one person's human rights for such a long period of 19 years despite no illegal acts."

Meanwhile, Yoo was active as a singer in Korea during the 1990s and repeatedly stated he would serve in the military, but in January 2002, he left for the U.S., renounced his Korean nationality, and acquired U.S. citizenship, thus receiving military service exemption. The Ministry of Justice issued an entry ban on Yoo in February of that year at the request of the Military Manpower Administration.

Yoo has applied for overseas Korean visas several times but was rejected. In March last year, he won a final lawsuit against the government to cancel the visa refusal. However, when his visa was again denied in October of the same year, he filed another lawsuit to cancel the visa refusal decision.