Singer Yoo Seung-jun, whose entry has been blocked due to evading military service [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The first trial verdict for the second lawsuit filed by singer Yoo Seung-jun (46, U.S. name Steve Seung-jun Yoo), requesting the issuance of a visa to allow him to enter South Korea, will be announced next month.
According to the legal community on the 21st, the Seoul Administrative Court Administrative Division 5 (Presiding Judge Kim Sun-yeol) scheduled the verdict date for the lawsuit filed by Yoo against the Consulate General in Los Angeles (LA) to cancel the refusal of passport and visa issuance for the 28th of next month.
Yoo previously acquired U.S. citizenship to evade military service obligations, resulting in a restriction on his entry into South Korea in 2002. He later attempted to enter with an overseas Korean entry visa but was denied visa issuance. He filed an administrative lawsuit in 2015 and won a final ruling at the Supreme Court in 2020.
At that time, the Supreme Court ruled that the LA Consulate General's refusal to issue a visa solely on the grounds that there was a previous entry ban decision by the Ministry of Justice, without exercising discretion, was illegal.
However, after the final ruling in his favor, Yoo was again denied visa issuance upon application. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the refusal was made following proper procedures in accordance with the Supreme Court's judgment. Consequently, in October 2020, Yoo filed another administrative lawsuit against the LA Consulate General to cancel the refusal of visa issuance.
Yoo's side argues that visa issuance and entry should be permitted based on the prior ruling. On the other hand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains the position that "the prior ruling instructed the defendant to exercise the authority given and make a judgment, not to issue the visa."
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