At the National Assembly's audit of the Consulate General in Los Angeles (LA), the issue of issuing a visa to singer Yu Seung-jun (48; U.S. name Steve Seung Jun Yoo) was raised again.
At the audit of the Consulate General in LA and the Consulate General in San Francisco by the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, held at the LA consulate building on the 22nd (local time), Kim Tae-ho of the People Power Party said, "In two lawsuits by Mr. Yu Seung-jun, the Supreme Court sided with Yu," and asked, "Even so, why is the LA consulate not issuing a visa?"
In response, Consul General Kim Young-wan in LA noted that the Supreme Court had pointed out different issues in Yu's two lawsuits, saying, "There could be various similar cases, so our position is that further legal judgment by a higher court is needed going forward."
Kim added, "It is truly difficult to forgive Yu's original act, but as a human being, I believe he has endured tremendous psychological and practical hardship for 20 years," and said, "And during that time, our Military Service Act and related matters such as an exit for conscientious objection and alternative service have undergone many changes."
He continued, "Considering these factors, an individual has legally guaranteed basic rights and the right to equality, and when public power is applied excessively, there can be sufficient flaws in its legitimacy and human rights issues may arise."
Kim said, "I know public sentiment is unfavorable and the Military Manpower Administration also opposes it, but since the Supreme Court has ruled and there is also a direction of protecting an individual's basic rights, I hope you will pay attention to and make a judgment on this part."
In response, Consul General Kim said, "We will actively cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Military Manpower Administration going forward."
Meanwhile, at the audit that day, there were also intensive questions about the LA consulate's response to the Donald Trump administration's sweeping crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Regarding the number of compatriots exposed to the risk of immigration enforcement by the U.S. government, Consul General Kim said, "Those exposed to risk would be the undocumented," and added, "The numbers currently known are all estimates, and it is difficult to state an exact figure."
Addressing the point that direct consular assistance should be provided at the scene of undocumented immigrant crackdowns, Consul General Kim said, "If those apprehended request consular assistance, assistance is possible, and we will continue to cooperate by building a cooperative relationship with ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to ensure that such human rights–violating crackdowns do not occur."