Yoo Seung-jun's 'Second Visa Issuance Lawsuit' 2nd Trial to Conclude in February Next Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Steve Seungjun Yoo (45, Korean name Yoo Seungjun), a singer-turned-actor, will receive the appellate court's decision on his second lawsuit requesting a visa issuance to enter South Korea in February next year.

On the afternoon of the 17th, the Seoul High Court Administrative Division 9-3 (Presiding Judges Jo Chanyeong, Kang Mungyeong, Kim Seungju) announced that it has concluded the appellate trial procedure for Yoo's lawsuit against the Consulate General in Los Angeles (LA) seeking cancellation of the refusal to issue a passport and visa, and will hold the verdict hearing on February 16 next year.

In April, the first trial ruled against the plaintiff. The trial court stated, "The plaintiff's actions involved deceiving state agencies to leave the country by irregular means and then undergoing the naturalization process," and ruled that "these actions pose a risk of harming the public interest, including maintaining order and public welfare in the Republic of Korea."

It further added, "There is no doubt that the plaintiff's existence causes great loss and deprivation to the soldiers of the Republic of Korea and their families, who were mobilized in frontline or difficult terrains in minor roles, risking their lives and enduring much pain and danger."

Previously, Yoo acquired U.S. citizenship to evade military service, resulting in restrictions on his entry into South Korea in 2002. Yoo attempted to enter the country with an Overseas Korean visa, but after being denied issuance, he filed an administrative lawsuit in 2015 and won a final ruling at the Supreme Court in 2020. However, even after the Supreme Court ruling, the LA Consulate General again refused Yoo's visa application, leading him to file this administrative lawsuit again in October 2020.