Singer Yoo Seung-jun (48, American name Steve Yoo) fans urged for amnesty and entry permission once again ahead of Liberation Day.
The online community 'Yoo Seung-jun Gallery' fandom issued a statement on the 12th, saying, "In this significant year marking the 80th anniversary of Liberation, we hope the spirit of national unity and harmony is fairly applied to all citizens," and requested, "Please lift the 20-year entry ban on Yoo Seung-jun."
Fans noted, "After the statement was released, President Lee Jae-myung's social media comments from 10 years ago were reexamined," adding, "At the time, President Lee harshly criticized Yoo Seung-jun, calling him 'someone who abandoned his country to avoid defense duties,' but this year's list of special amnesty for Liberation Day includes cases that contradict that stance."
They continued, "Individuals who have undermined social trust due to involvement in entrance exam corruption or misappropriation of comfort women support funds have been granted amnesty under the guise of 'national unity,'" emphasizing that, "While leniency is shown to politicians and public officials, it is not fair to exclude a regular citizen like Yoo Seung-jun."
They added, "It is not to criticize this decision, but to demand that the same standards be applied," stating that, "The true value of national unity lies not in excluding certain individuals but in granting equal opportunities."
This statement is the second following the first statement released on the 9th. At that time, fans requested amnesty, saying, "Leniency and inclusivity should apply not only to politicians but to all citizens."
Earlier, Yoo Seung-jun renounced his Korean citizenship and obtained U.S. citizenship after leaving the country for overseas performances ahead of his military enlistment in 2002, landing him on the entry ban list amid controversies surrounding draft evasion. He subsequently applied for an Overseas Korean visa (F-4) at the Los Angeles Consulate in 2015 but was denied, and won two lawsuits against the visa denial. However, the consulate denied the visa again, and Yoo Seung-jun received a final ruling victory from the Supreme Court in a second lawsuit last November.
Nevertheless, the Los Angeles Consulate and the Ministry of Justice still maintain a 'entry denial' stance. Yoo Seung-jun has filed a third administrative lawsuit this year, and the Ministry of Justice is refusing to issue the visa, citing the potential for 'social unrest' that may arise from his entry into the country.
[Photo] SNS
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