Steve Yoo Faces Legal Battle Over Entry Ban with South Korean Ministry of Justice

Singer Steve Yoo, also known as Yoo Seung-jun, is once again in a legal battle with the South Korean Ministry of Justice over his entry ban.

On the 26th, the Seoul Administrative Court's Administrative Division 5, led by Judge Lee Jung-won, held the second hearing for Yoo's lawsuit against the Los Angeles Consulate General and the Ministry of Justice. The lawsuit seeks to overturn the visa issuance denial and confirm the non-existence of the entry ban. Initially scheduled for May 8, the second hearing was postponed to this date. The court concluded the arguments from both sides and set the ruling date for August 28.

Yoo's legal team argued in court that "despite the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling indicating a lack of legal basis for the entry ban, the LA Consulate General continues to deny visa issuance citing the Ministry of Justice's decision." They also referenced the case of soccer player Suk Hyun-jun, who received a suspended sentence for draft evasion, criticizing the decision as "ignoring the principles of proportionality and equality."

In 2015, Yoo applied for an Overseas Korean Visa (F-4) but was denied by the LA Consulate General. He won two lawsuits in the Supreme Court, but the consulate again refused to issue a visa in June 2023. Consequently, Yoo filed a third lawsuit against the Ministry of Justice in September of the same year. Yoo's team explained, "Since the LA Consulate General is denying the visa based on the Ministry of Justice's entry ban decision, we are seeking confirmation that the entry ban itself does not exist."

Conversely, the Ministry of Justice maintained its stance, stating in court, "The entry ban is within the Minister of Justice's authority, and considering the ongoing public debate, Yoo's entry could cause social unrest." The LA Consulate General also argued, "Yoo's case is fundamentally different from that of the sports star."

Steve Yoo debuted as a singer in 1997, gaining popularity with hits like 'Scissors,' 'Passion,' and 'Na Na Na.' However, in 2002, he avoided mandatory military service by acquiring U.S. citizenship after promising to return to Korea following an overseas performance. As a result, he was banned from entering South Korea by the Ministry of Justice and has not set foot in the country for over 20 years.

By Min-kyung Lee, Ten Asia Reporter 2min_ror@tenasia.co.kr