Kim Byung-joo: "Yoo Seung-jun violated the constitution... Economic activities must be blocked"

Yoo Seung-jun "Am I a Political Prisoner or a Public Enemy?" Angrily Responds

Singer Yoo Seung-jun (American name Steve Seung-jun Yoo) strongly opposed the 'Yoo Seung-jun Prevention Act,' saying, "Am I a public enemy?" in a video he uploaded to his personal YouTube channel on the 19th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Steve Yoo (Korean singer stage name Yoo Seungjun) has expressed opposition to the so-called 'Yoo Seungjun Prevention Military Service Act' proposed by Kim Byungjoo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea. On the 21st, Kim emphasized, "Military service is a sacred duty of the people and must be a value of fairness."

Kim appeared on KBS1 Radio's 'Joo Jinwoo Live' that day and said, "It seems Yoo did not properly review the five laws I proposed. Looking through the five laws, there is no reason to protest so publicly. The bills themselves do not mention the name 'Yoo Seungjun' at all," he said.

He continued, "The content itself is just a partial revision of existing laws and a thorough supplementation of unreasonable parts. It seems he did not properly review the five bills before reacting this way."

Regarding the reason for proposing the bill, Kim explained, "Although Yoo is partially subject to some items, about 4,000 people change their nationality each year to avoid military service. This was created to realize the fundamental value of fairness."

In response to Yoo's claim that "I broke my promise not to serve in the military. Is that a crime?" Kim pointed out, "Yoo distorted the essence. He says he broke a promise to his fans, but that is clearly a violation of the Constitution and the Military Service Act."

He added, "In 2001, Yoo held Korean nationality while also having permanent residency in the U.S., not citizenship. Therefore, he was properly subject to military service. He underwent the military physical examination and was rated Grade 4. He even said he would join the Marine Corps and had received his enlistment notice."

He further stated, "Receiving the enlistment notice is an official order and document. Under such circumstances, he was conditionally allowed to perform overseas, but then he went abroad, obtained U.S. citizenship, and gave up his Korean nationality within five days to evade military service," sharply criticizing.

Kim emphasized, "Because he obtained citizenship in the U.S., it was beyond our control. It is not that he broke a promise, but that he violated the Constitution."

He also said, "Duties, authority, and rights go together. Those who do not fulfill their national defense duties cannot be granted authority or rights. I consider it free-riding. People who did not serve in the military should be prevented from entering Korea and engaging in economic activities," he stressed.

On October 7th, at the National Assembly National Defense Committee's audit held at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Kim Byung-joo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is asking questions.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 17th, Kim proposed a bill (Nationality Act, Immigration Control Act, Overseas Koreans Act, National Public Officials Act, Local Public Officials Act) to block the entry of those who renounced Korean nationality to evade military service.

The amendment includes provisions that, in principle, disallow the restoration of nationality and prohibit entry for males who lost or renounced Korean nationality without fulfilling military obligations.

In response, Yoo said on his YouTube channel on the 19th, "Am I a political prisoner, a public enemy, or have I murdered someone or committed child sexual abuse?" He protested, "What on earth is so scary that they are making a fuss to block just one celebrity named Yoo Seungjun?"

He added, "It doesn't make sense that I cause young people to feel disillusioned. Honestly, due to Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's son's 'emperor vacation' and the absurd incidents involving former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, young people are even more angry and disillusioned seeing the corruption and double standards of politicians," he questioned.

Meanwhile, Yoo renounced his Korean nationality in 2002 to evade military service and acquired U.S. citizenship but was restricted from entering Korea by the Ministry of Justice.

After a long legal battle spanning about 20 years, Yoo won at the Supreme Court in March this year. However, after the Los Angeles Consulate General refused to issue a visa again in July, he has continued to file administrative lawsuits and pursue legal action.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.