The legal battle surrounding singer Yoo Seung-jun (Steve Yoo)'s entry into Korea reaches a conclusion today.
The Seoul Administrative Court's Administrative Division 5 (presided over by Judge Lee Jeong-won) will announce the first-instance ruling on Yoo's lawsuit against the Consulate General in Los Angeles for refusing to issue a visa on the afternoon of the 28th. This lawsuit is the third filed by Yoo seeking to cancel the visa denial, having previously won twice, yet in June last year, the Consulate General in Los Angeles again denied his visa, leading to this ongoing matter.
On this day, the results of Yoo's lawsuit claiming that the 2002 entry ban by the Ministry of Justice does not exist, titled 'Confirmation of Non-Existence of Entry Ban Decision,' will also be announced.
Yoo Seung-jun debuted as a singer in 1997 but lost his Korean nationality upon acquiring U.S. citizenship in 2002. Following this, controversy arose over his evasion of military service, and the Ministry of Justice decided to ban him from entry that year. He has been unable to set foot in Korea for 23 years and has continued to perform abroad.
Diplomatic authorities maintain that there is still a necessity for the entry ban, considering national interests and public good, separate from the Overseas Koreans Act, in this lawsuit as well.
Previously, in a video titled 'Yoo Seung-jun comeback? BREAKING NEWS! Yoo Seung Jun aka YSJ has returned?' released on Yoo's YouTube channel on the 17th, he shouted, "How can you judge me when you don't even know me? Who are you to judge? Do you keep all the promises you make?" He seemed to express frustration over his situation, where his entry into the Republic of Korea has been blocked for 23 years due to violations of the Military Service Act.
Ultimately, today's ruling is expected to be a watershed moment in determining whether Yoo Seung-jun can step onto Korean soil or if he will remain halted in front of the wall of the entry ban.
[Photo] Yoo Seung-jun SNS
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