Steve Yoo Wins Third Legal Battle for Korean Visa: Will He Finally Return?

Steve Yoo (48, Korean name Yoo Seung-jun) has secured another legal victory in his ongoing battle to obtain a visa to enter South Korea. This marks his third attempt, and the court's decision significantly increases his chances of setting foot in the country. Despite his victory, Yoo has remained silent on the matter, a stark contrast to his usual vocal presence on social media.

On the 28th, the Seoul Administrative Court ruled in favor of Yoo in his lawsuit against the Los Angeles Consulate General, which had denied his visa application. The court stated that "the public interest gained from banning his entry is outweighed by the disadvantages faced by the plaintiff," and deemed the visa denial as "disproportionate and an abuse of discretion." However, the court clarified that this ruling does not imply that Yoo's past actions were appropriate.

The court further noted that "individuals over the age of 38 should be granted residency status unless there are special circumstances," referencing the Overseas Koreans Act, which allows for residency despite past military service evasion. The court emphasized that Yoo's evasion of military service should not result in an indefinite entry ban, especially since he is now over 38.

The court also criticized the consulate's decision to maintain the entry ban based on "public sentiment and the importance of military duty," stating that these reasons were tied to events from 2002 and were not valid grounds for denying a visa.

A related lawsuit seeking confirmation of the 2002 entry ban was dismissed by the court as it was "not subject to judgment."

Yoo has not issued any statement regarding the court's decision, which is unusual given his history of expressing his views on social media. As attention turns to whether he will finally be able to return to South Korea, many are curious about his next move.

Once a top-tier singer in South Korea, Yoo had declared his intention to enlist in the military but faced backlash after obtaining U.S. citizenship to avoid mandatory service. This led to his ban from entering South Korea since 2002.

In 2015, at the age of 38, Yoo applied for a visa under the Overseas Koreans Act, which allows for residency despite past military evasion. However, the LA Consulate General denied his application, prompting Yoo to file a lawsuit. He won his first legal battle after a lengthy court process, but the consulate again refused to issue a visa, citing potential harm to national interests.

Yoo filed a second lawsuit in 2020 and won again in 2023. Despite this, the consulate denied his visa once more in June of last year, leading Yoo to file a third lawsuit in September, resulting in the recent favorable ruling.

Reported by Jiye Choi, TenAsia wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr