[2024 National Audit] Military Manpower Administration Chief: "Changing Nationality for Military Service Exemption, Solution for Yoo Seung-jun"

Kim Jong-chul "Steve Yoo Entry Ban, a Good Solution"
‘Sugar’ Not Disciplined Despite Drunk Driving
"Not Justified, But It's a Matter of Law Application"

Kim Jong-chul, Commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration, expressed the view that measures such as restricting entry, as was done with 'Steve Yoo,' could be a good solution to deliberate military service exemption through naturalization.

Singer Steve Seungjun Yoo, who was active under the name Yoo Seungjun in Korea

At the National Assembly National Defense Committee’s audit on the 11th, Commissioner Kim responded to a question from Bu Seung-chan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, who said, "Measures are needed against attempts to evade military service through naturalization," by stating, "There are many cases of military service exemption through naturalization, but since subsequent disadvantages or penalties are not clearly specified in the law, I think strengthening is necessary," adding, "A good solution might be an example like Steve Yoo."

Singer Steve Seung-jun Yoo was active in Korea under the name Yoo Seung-jun. He left the country in January 2002 for a performance while having received a notice to report for public service duty. After acquiring U.S. citizenship, he lost his Korean nationality. Consequently, the Ministry of Justice restricted his entry into Korea.

In 2015, Yoo filed a lawsuit after being denied a visa at the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles, which he won. Nevertheless, the consulate continued to refuse visa issuance and rejected his applications three times up to this year, citing concerns that his entry could harm Korea’s interests such as public order and welfare.

Suga (real name Min Yoongi) of the group BTS, who is suspected of riding an electric scooter while intoxicated, is appearing at the Yongsan Police Station in Seoul for police questioning.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Commissioner Kim also commented on BTS member and social service agent Suga (real name Min Yoon-gi) not being disciplined despite riding an electric scooter while intoxicated outside of working hours, saying, "I do not think it is appropriate, but we are providing education and guidance."

Active-duty soldiers, unlike social service agents, are disciplined even for drunk driving committed outside of working hours or during leave. Regarding this, he said, "They (active-duty soldiers) may feel disadvantaged, but the application of the law is based on various considerations specific to social service agents."

Kim Jong-cheol, Commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration, is responding to questions from committee members at the National Defense Committee's audit held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 11th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

In the day’s work report, the Military Manpower Administration announced plans to strengthen prevention and crackdown on military service evasion crimes by ▲ subdividing physical grade assessment criteria such as epilepsy and continuously verifying treatment status ▲ selecting and managing 'priority management targets' for diseases suspected or attempted for evasion ▲ introducing a search system for encouragement information and establishing an early warning system for military service evasion ▲ expanding separate management targets for athletes in sports organizations equivalent to professionals ▲ and promoting cybercrime prevention and crackdown.

The Military Manpower Administration also plans to launch a 'next-generation military administration digital platform' utilizing digital technology in January 2027. This is expected to enable one-stop examination and enlistment systems as well as mobile civil service processing.