"The way back to Korea is open." Yoo Seung-jun, the possibility of resuming activities in the Korean entertainment industry?

Singer Yoo Seung-jun (American name Steve Seung-jun Yoo) has opened his way back to Korea. This is because the court sided with Yoo in a lawsuit to cancel the refusal to issue a visa filed by Yoo against the diplomatic authorities. Because of this, there are also observations that Yoo might be returning to the Korean entertainment industry. However, there are many opinions in the industry that it is "difficult".

On the 13th, the Seoul High Court overturned the first trial and ruled in favor of the plaintiff in a lawsuit filed by Yoo against the consul general in Los Angeles to cancel the refusal to issue a passport and visa. This is the appeal of the second objection filed by Yoo against the diplomatic authorities after being denied a visa.

Yoo obtained US citizenship to avoid military service. For this reason, entry into South Korea was restricted in 2002. Mr. Yoo tried to enter the country with an overseas Korean visa, but the issuance was rejected. The first lawsuit was filed in 2015. The Supreme Court ruled that the process of denying Yoo's visa was illegal. However, the diplomatic authorities again refused to issue the visa. Mr. Yoo filed a second lawsuit in October 2020, saying that it was against the Supreme Court ruling.

The diplomatic authorities took the position that the previous ruling of the Supreme Court was that the visa issuance refusal process was not lawful, but that the visa should not have been issued per se. At the same time, for the second visa application filed by Mr. Yoo, the issuance was rejected in accordance with the due process, and it was the discretion of the diplomatic authorities.

The first trial of the second lawsuit found that the diplomatic authority's argument was correct. It is believed that the visa issuance was refused by following the lawful procedure according to discretion. However, in the second trial, it was overturned and it was judged that the refusal to issue was wrong. This opened the way for Yoo to return to Korea 22 years after leaving the country.

However, it is not expected that it will be easy for Yoo to resume his activities in the entertainment industry. First of all, even if the legal part is resolved, it is possible for Yoo to resume entertainment activities in Korea only if public perception changes. However, he is still called 'Steven You' and there is a great public outrage over his refusal to serve in the military. Even in the entertainment industry, there is a lot of risk to bear in order to support Yoo's appearances or activities.

An official in the entertainment industry commented, "Even if Yoo comes, he will either work alone or work as a producer, but it will be difficult from the current public opinion." did. Even if Yoo decides to become a producer, the industry points out that the producer's image can be a risk to the artist.

Choi Ji-ye, staff reporter