‘Military service evasion controversy’ Yoo Seung-jun heads to the Supreme Court for the third time… U.S. Consulate General in Los Angeles files appeal [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Singer Yoo Seung-jun’s third lawsuit regarding his return to Korea is once again headed to the Supreme Court.

According to StarNews, the U.S. Consulate General in Los Angeles filed an appeal on the 26th against the appellate court ruling in the lawsuit Yoo Seung-jun filed seeking the cancellation of the visa issuance refusal order.

Previously, the Administrative Division 8-2 of the Seoul High Court held a hearing to announce the verdict in the appellate lawsuit Yoo Seung-jun filed against the U.S. Consulate General in Los Angeles seeking the cancellation of the visa issuance refusal order. The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff, consistent with the first-instance ruling, stating, “The defendant’s appeal and the plaintiff’s cross-appeal are both dismissed. Each party shall bear their own appellate costs.”

Yoo Seung-jun, who was a popular singer in the late 1990s and had promised the public that he would enlist in the military, left for the United States in 2001 using the return guarantee system while postponing his induction. At the time, it is known that the Military Manpower Administration received a letter of commitment from Yoo Seung-jun stating, “I will return immediately after my performance schedules in Japan and the United States are completed,” and approved his departure. However, Yoo Seung-jun broke his promise with the Military Manpower Administration, went through the process of acquiring U.S. citizenship in Los Angeles, USA in 2002, renounced his Korean nationality, and then landed at Incheon International Airport that February. He was unable to pass immigration inspection, stayed for six hours, and returned to the United States. His entry was prohibited under Article 11 of the Immigration Control Act, which states, “Entry is prohibited for persons who are deemed to pose a risk to the interests of the Republic of Korea.”

Subsequently, Yoo Seung-jun applied for an Overseas Korean Visa (F-4) at the Los Angeles Consulate General in October 2015. When the Los Angeles Consulate General refused it, he filed a lawsuit and won final judgments twice at the Supreme Court. However, the Los Angeles Consulate General again refused to issue a visa in June 2024.

In response, Yoo Seung-jun initiated his third lawsuit in September 2024 by filing a suit for the cancellation of the refusal order and a suit for confirmation of non-existence of the entry ban decision against the Ministry of Justice. In this third administrative lawsuit as well, the Ministry of Justice clearly stated its position that it could not allow Yoo Seung-jun’s entry.

Yoo Seung-jun, who has been unable to set foot on Korean soil for 24 years due to the military service evasion controversy, continued lawsuits seeking the cancellation of visa issuance refusals and the lifting of entry bans three times. Suddenly, in June, he revealed his intention to end the 24th-year-long tedious fight through a video titled, “I have done enough. I am going to stop now.”

Yoo Seung-jun wrote, “This will probably be the last time I make a video like this. I have been in a lot of pain during this period, and I have tried to convey my feelings through various methods.” He added, “In fact, I did not start this channel with the intention of telling my story from the beginning, but eventually, I found myself bringing up my story again as if I were treading water. However, just as the truth does not change simply because people do not recognize it, it is enough if only you understand my heart.”

Yoo Seung-jun stated, “I have asked myself countless times, ‘Why can’t I forget Korea and why do I miss it so much?’ As I answered that question, I realized that I no longer need to spend my time and passion explaining the reason, clarifying misunderstandings, or defending myself.” He continued, “I have maintained my YouTube channel without uploading many videos for several years because I wanted to correct things that were not true. I was waiting for a day when I could properly voice my opinion. But now, it is truly okay. It is enough just to be able to communicate with you like this. I sincerely thank you for listening to my story and supporting me.”

He further confessed, “Looking back, I have lived stubbornly for a very long time to prove the single fact that ‘I am not the kind of person they say I am.’ Of course, I still believe that what is not true is not true. But now, it is okay even if someone thinks differently about me.” He added, “I have already received so much love, I am overflowing with things to be grateful for, and above all, I am happy. If there are any people who have been hurt because of me, I ask you to forgive me with a generous heart.”

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original