Fans of singer Yoo Seung-jun (49, Steve Yoo), who was banned from entering Korea due to allegations of evading military service, have once again urged for the lifting of the entry ban in light of the special pardon on Liberation Day.
The online community "DC Inside Yoo Seung-jun Gallery" stated on the 12th, "Those who used forged documents to interfere with college admissions processes for their children's entrance exams, undermining the fairness of the admission system, and those who privately misappropriated donations for comfort women victims, betraying the trust of the victim grandmothers and supporters, have all been pardoned under the guise of national unity. We are not criticizing this decision but rather requesting that the principles and greater good be equally applied to all citizens."
The individuals mentioned in the statement appear to include former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and former lawmaker Yoon Mee-hyang, who were included in the list for this special pardon. Cho is currently imprisoned on charges related to his children's entrance exam fraud and alleged interference with the Blue House investigation, with over a year left in his sentence. Yoon lost her seat after being sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison, suspended for 2 years, on charges of misappropriating donations for comfort women victims.
The statement reads, "It is not fair to impose a harsh standard on Yoo Seung-jun, an ordinary citizen, for over 20 years while politicians show great national decisions and provide leniency. Please lift the entry ban on Yoo Seung-jun to allow him to step on the land of the Republic of Korea again, ensuring the true sincerity of the national unity and harmony proclaimed by the Liberation Day pardon."
This statement is the second following the first one released on the 9th under the name "Fans of Yoo Seung-jun". At that time, fans also requested Yoo's pardon, expressing the hope that the spirit of tolerance and inclusion would apply not only to politicians and public officials but to all citizens.
Fans argued, "Despite the Supreme Court ruling in 2019 and 2023 that the refusal of visa issuance was illegal, the continued restrictions violate the principles of equity and the rule of law."
Earlier, Yoo Seung-jun left the country ahead of his military enlistment in 2002 for an overseas concert, later renouncing his Korean citizenship and obtaining U.S. citizenship. The Ministry of Justice placed him on the entry ban list that same year.
Subsequently, he applied for an overseas Korean (F-4) visa at the Los Angeles Consulate in 2015 but was denied. He filed lawsuits to cancel the visa issuance refusal, winning both administrative lawsuits. However, as the visa issuance continued to be denied until recently, he filed a third lawsuit against the Los Angeles Consulate and the Minister of Justice. During the second hearing, the Ministry of Justice maintained its position that "entry cannot be allowed."
Meanwhile, President Lee Jae-myung stated on social media (SNS) 10 years ago, during his time as mayor of Seongnam, regarding Yoo Seung-jun, "He is one who abandoned his country to evade his duties as a citizen. What is there to say now?"
President Lee said, "Do you want to return to a harsh country like Korea, where many young people live much harder lives, fulfilling their military duties and dying today from gun violence? Do you need more money from the pockets of Koreans? Or has your patriotism suddenly become overflowing?"