Yoo Seung-jun, When Will He Come to Korea? First Trial Verdict Today in Second Visa Issuance Lawsuit

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The conclusion of the second lawsuit filed by singer Yoo Seung-jun (American name Steve Seung-jun Yoo) requesting the issuance of a visa to enter South Korea will be announced on the 28th.

At 3 p.m. on the same day, the Administrative Division 5 of the Seoul Administrative Court (Presiding Judge Kim Sun-yeol) is scheduled to deliver the first trial verdict on Yoo's lawsuit against the Consulate General in Los Angeles (LA) seeking cancellation of the refusal to issue a passport and visa.

Previously, Yoo acquired U.S. citizenship to evade military service obligations, resulting in restrictions on his entry to South Korea in 2002.

He later attempted to enter with an overseas Korean entry visa but was denied visa issuance. He filed an administrative lawsuit in 2015 and won a final ruling at the Supreme Court in 2020.

At that time, the Supreme Court ruled that the LA Consulate General's refusal to issue a visa without exercising discretion and solely on the grounds of a past Ministry of Justice entry ban decision was illegal.

However, after the final ruling in his favor, Yoo's visa application was again denied. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the refusal was made following proper procedures in accordance with the Supreme Court's judgment.

Ultimately, in October 2020, Yoo filed another administrative lawsuit against the LA Consulate General seeking cancellation of the visa refusal. Yoo's side argues that visa issuance and entry should be permitted based on the prior ruling.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "The prior ruling instructs the defendant to exercise the authority granted and make a judgment, not to issue a visa."

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