Singer Yoo Seung-jun (Steve Seung-jun Yoo) won his third visa lawsuit.
On the 28th, the 5th Administrative Division of the Seoul Administrative Court (Director General Lee Jeong-won) held the first trial ruling hearing on the lawsuit filed by Yoo Seung-jun against the Ministry of Justice and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles to confirm the non-existence of the entry ban decision and to cancel the visa issuance refusal.
The court ruled that the Ministry of Justice and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles must cancel the refusal of visa issuance to Yoo Seung-jun. The court noted, "It is difficult to see that Yoo Seung-jun's actions pose a risk of harming the interests of national security, order maintenance, or diplomatic relations of South Korea. When comparing the public interest and private gain that could be obtained by banning Yoo Seung-jun from entry, the level of damage to Yoo Seung-jun is greater. This violates the principle of proportionality."
The court added, "Even if Yoo Seung-jun's entry is permitted and he stays in the country, considering the sufficiently mature level of public awareness, there is no concern that Yoo Seung-jun's presence or activities would harm Korea's interests or safety," and stated that "the refusal of visa issuance has no grounds and is illegal due to an abuse of discretionary power, and it should be canceled."
However, regarding Yoo Seung-jun's evasion of military service, the court emphasized, "This ruling does not in any way suggest that Yoo Seung-jun's past actions were appropriate." It also dismissed Yoo Seung-jun's lawsuit confirming the non-existence of the entry ban decision made by the Ministry of Justice in 2002, saying it "is not subject to court judgment."
Previously, after debuting in 1997 and enjoying great popularity while actively pursuing a career as a singer, he faced controversy over evading military service after leaving Korea in 2002, claiming he would return after a performance abroad, but then renounced his Korean nationality and acquired U.S. citizenship.
As a result, Yoo Seung-jun was restricted from entering South Korea in 2002, and despite applying for the Overseas Korean visa (F-4) in 2015, after reaching the legal age for enlistment, the Los Angeles Consulate General refused to issue the visa. The F-4 visa recognizes all rights related to commercial activities. Yoo Seung-jun filed lawsuits to cancel the visa issuance refusal twice and won both rulings, but the Los Angeles Consulate General denied his visa application again last year.
The Ministry of Justice has refused to issue the visa, citing that his entry could cause social unrest, and Yoo Seung-jun filed a third lawsuit against the Consulate General in Los Angeles and the Ministry of Justice this year. He recently expressed, "I have no desire to earn money in Korea. I feel like they think someone is waiting with a stack of cash when I go. I have no intention of receiving benefits, nor do I want to. I wanted to return to restore my honor. The law must be equal for everyone, and fairness must not be misaligned."
[Photo] Yoo Seung-jun SNS
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