At US LA Audit, "Yoo Seungjun Visa" Under Scrutiny... Kim Taeho Says "State Power Excessive"

Yoo Seungjun Wins Consecutive Lawsuits Against LA Consulate General
Kim Taeho: "Supreme Court Ruling and Basic Rights Deserve Attention"
"Similar Cases Possible... Further Legal Review by Higher Court Needed"

During the National Assembly audit of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles (LA), the issue of visa issuance for singer Yoo Seungjun (American name: Steve Seungjun Yoo) was raised. According to Yonhap News Agency, on the 22nd (local time), during the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee's audit of the LA and San Francisco Consulates General held at the LA Consulate General, Kim Taeho of the People Power Party stated, "In Yoo's two previous lawsuits, the Supreme Court ruled in his favor," and questioned, "Why, then, does the LA Consulate General still refuse to issue a visa?"

Singer Yoo Seungjun, who was denied a visa due to controversy over evading military service. YouTube

In response, Kim Youngwan, Consul General in LA, answered, "The Supreme Court pointed out different issues in each of Yoo's two lawsuits," and added, "Because there could be various similar cases, our position is that further legal interpretation by a higher court is necessary."

Assemblyman Kim said, "It is truly difficult to forgive Yoo's fundamental act of evading military service, but as a human being, I believe he has endured tremendous psychological and practical hardships for 20 years," and added, "Over time, our Military Service Act has also undergone many changes, such as recognizing conscientious objection and alternative service." He continued, "There are basic rights and equality guaranteed by law for every individual, and when state power is applied excessively, there can be significant flaws in its legitimacy and potential human rights issues."

He further stated, "I understand that public sentiment toward Yoo is negative and that the Military Manpower Administration is also opposed, but since the Supreme Court has ruled and there is also the perspective of protecting an individual's basic rights, I hope you will consider these aspects in your judgment." In response, Consul General Kim said, "We will actively cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Military Manpower Administration going forward."

On the 22nd (local time), at the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles (LA), during the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee's audit of the LA Consulate General and San Francisco Consulate General, Kim Taeho of the People Power Party is asking questions. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Yoo, who had promised to fulfill his military service, renounced his Korean citizenship and left the country at the end of 2001 just before enlistment. At the time, he submitted a written pledge stating, "I will return immediately after completing my overseas performances," received approval from the Military Manpower Administration, and departed, but instead of returning, he chose to become a U.S. citizen. Despite the controversy over military service evasion, the Korean government had no direct means of punishing him since he was an American citizen. However, the Ministry of Justice barred his entry based on Article 11 of the Immigration Control Act, which prohibits the entry of individuals deemed likely to harm the interests of the Republic of Korea.

In 2015, Yoo filed his first lawsuit against the LA Consulate General, claiming that its refusal to issue an overseas Korean visa (F-4) was unjust. In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled in his favor due to procedural issues. Nevertheless, the visa issuance was still denied. Yoo filed a second lawsuit in October 2020 and won again at the Supreme Court in November 2023. He filed a third lawsuit in September last year and once more won in the first trial in August this year. However, the LA Consulate General has appealed, and the case is ongoing.