Singer Yoo Seung Jun (Steve Yoo) is once again challenging the South Korean government in court, trying for the third time to lift his long-standing entry ban. His first trial hearing for this lawsuit is happening today (20th).
On the afternoon of the 20th, the Seoul Administrative Court’s Division 5 (Presiding Judge Kim Soon-yeol) will hold the first hearing for Yoo Seung Jun ’s case against the Los Angeles Consulate General and the Ministry of Justice.
He is demanding the cancellation of his visa refusal and a ruling confirming that the entry ban decision is invalid.
Yoo Seung Jun has been blocked from entering South Korea for 23 years due to controversy over avoiding military service.
Back in 2002, just before his enlistment, he left the country for an overseas concert and then suddenly obtained U.S. citizenship, which exempted him from military duty.
As a result, in February of that year, the South Korean government banned him from re-entering the country under the Immigration Control Act.
In October 2015, he tried to obtain an overseas Korean (F-4) visa from the Los Angeles Consulate General, but it was rejected. He filed a lawsuit and won twice at the Supreme Court, raising hopes for his return.
However, in June last year, the consulate once again denied his visa application. In response, Yoo Seung Jun filed a third lawsuit in September, seeking to overturn the visa rejection and get a legal ruling confirming that the Ministry of Justice’s entry ban is no longer valid.
Now, with his third legal battle underway, fans and the public are waiting to see if this will finally be the case that lets him set foot in South Korea again.
Source (1)
