Popular Singer Wins Lawsuit— Will He Be Able To Return To Korea?

The possibility of Steve Yoo (Yoo Seung Jun) entering Korea has increased.

On August 28, the 5th Administrative Division of the Seoul Administrative Court ruled in favor of the plaintiff in a lawsuit filed by Yoo Seung Jun against the Minister of Justice seeking to overturn the visa denial.

The court ruled to overturn his visa denial but dismissed his lawsuit against the LA Consulate General, which sought to “confirm the nonexistence of the entry ban.”

The court felt that confirming the validity of an entry ban was not within the court’s jurisdiction.

Yoo Seung Jun had previously declared military service, but was embroiled in controversy for evading military service by acquiring U.S. citizenship. This led to his entry ban into Korea being restricted since 2022.

In August 2015, he applied for a visa at the LA Consulate General under the Overseas Korean (F-4) visa when he turned 38.

At the time, under the Overseas Korean Act, even those who lost their citizenship for military evasion could be granted Overseas residency status upon turning 38. However, the consulate refused to issue the visa, leading him to file his first lawsuit to overturn the decision.

Although he won his case after retrial, they denied him a visa, citing concerns that “evading military service could harm national interests.” He then filed a second lawsuit in 2020 and won again in November 2023.

However, the LA Consulate General denied him again last June, and he has since filed a third lawsuit. In response to the third lawsuit, the court ruled in his favor.

While this increases his chances of re-entering Korea, the outcome remains uncertain as the Ministry of Justice may appeal. All eyes are focused on how this ruling will shape the 20-year-old issue regarding his entry into Korea.

Steve Yoo Speaks Out Regarding Pardon To Lift Entry Ban To Korea