Yoo Seung-jun's Legal Battle Over Entry Ban: Misunderstandings and Legal Clarifications

Singer Yoo Seung-jun has sparked a heated debate after posting a reflective message on his social media on October 1st, coinciding with South Korea's Armed Forces Day. Yoo has been embroiled in a legal battle over visa issuance for nine years.

On October 2nd, Yoo's legal representative, Attorney Ryu Jung-sun from the law firm Innovation, emphasized in an interview with TenAsia that the public perception of Yoo seeking entry into Korea for commercial activities is a misunderstanding.

According to Ryu, Yoo's genuine intention is to nullify the entry ban decision and set foot on Korean soil. Attorney Ryu stated, "There is a lot of public opinion questioning why Yoo is applying for an Overseas Korean Visa (F-4) instead of entering with a tourist visa. The prevailing reaction is that he aims for domestic commercial activities, but this is a complete misunderstanding. The purpose is not for profit but to challenge the entry ban decision."

Ryu explained that Yoo applied for the 'Overseas Korean Visa,' which allows for domestic commercial activities, because there was no other option to receive a court ruling on the legality of the entry ban decision and visa issuance refusal.

"There are numerous visas, but with other visas, he would be considered a general foreigner," Ryu said. "In such cases, even if an objection is filed with the court, the lawsuit does not stand because general foreigners do not have the right to file a lawsuit. It had to be the Overseas Korean Visa." The misunderstanding about applying for a visa for commercial activities stems from a lack of understanding of the visa system.

Furthermore, Ryu stated, "As long as the entry ban decision is valid, Yoo cannot enter even with a tourist visa. One of the grounds for refusing the F-4 visa issuance is the past entry ban decision by the Ministry of Justice. If entry is banned, a tourist visa is also not issued." He lamented, "Yoo was already denied entry with a tourist visa in 2002. The entry ban period has exceeded 22 years. The initially decided period was indefinite, which is excessively harsh."

Ryu continued, "The LA Consulate General cited that actions after July 2, 2020, are harmful to domestic security and order as grounds for visa issuance refusal. They wrote as if this was not addressed in the previous ruling, but it was already covered in the past ruling." He explained, "The second lawsuit was filed after July 2020. The ruling of the second lawsuit also addressed actions after July 2020, specifically Yoo's YouTube remarks, stating they are unrelated to domestic safety and interests. There is no new fact."

Yoo Seung-jun left for the United States in January 2002, just before his military enlistment, renounced his Korean nationality, and acquired U.S. citizenship, causing public outrage. The government indefinitely banned his entry in February of that year under the Immigration Control Act due to his evasion of military service. In 2015, Yoo applied for an Overseas Korean Visa at the LA Consulate General but was denied. He filed two lawsuits to cancel the decision and eventually won, but the LA Consulate General's refusal continues. In response, Yoo's side issued a statement on September 28, urging compliance with the administrative disposition cancellation ruling, stating, "It is not only a human rights violation against Yoo Seung-jun but also a serious issue undermining the foundation of the rule of law."