▲ This undated Yonhap file photo shows K-pop singer Yoo Seung-jun (Steve Seung-jun Yoo), who has been banned from entering South Korea for more than two decades due to evading military service. (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Yonhap) -- Singer Yoo Seung-jun, who has been banned from entering South Korea for 22 years due to evading military service, has been denied a visa once again despite winning a Supreme Court ruling in November last year, blocking his entry into the country.

 

On the 28th, Yoo revealed through a statement posted on social media by his attorney, Ryu Jung-seon, that the Los Angeles (LA) Consulate General recently rejected his visa application.

 

According to the statement, the LA Consulate General stated that after consulting with the Ministry of Justice, it decided to uphold Yoo’s entry ban, citing concerns that his actions after July 2, 2020, could harm South Korea's national security, public order, welfare, or diplomatic relations.

 

▲ This photo, provided by Yonhap News Television, shows Yoo Seung-jun (Steve Seung-jun Yoo). (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

Yoo debuted in April 1997 but lost his Korean citizenship in 2002 after obtaining U.S. citizenship while abroad for a concert. Following this, the Ministry of Justice restricted his entry into Korea.

 

In 2015, Yoo applied for an F-4 (Overseas Korean) visa at the LA Consulate General, which was denied. He filed a lawsuit to overturn the decision and won. However, the Consulate General refused to issue a visa again, leading Yoo to file another lawsuit, which he also won in November 2022. This marks the third time his visa application has been denied.

 

Attorney Ryu criticized the decision, stating, "This is a violation of Yoo’s human rights, disregarding court rulings, and a serious threat to the rule of law."

 

Regarding accusations that Yoo is insisting on an F-4 visa for financial reasons, Ryu clarified, "These claims are entirely false. Legal experts advised pursuing the case based on Yoo’s status as an overseas Korean, as other visa types could raise issues with the lawsuit’s validity."

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