Singer and former entertainer Steve Yoo (Yoo Seung Jun), who has been barred from entering South Korea for more than two decades over allegations of military service evasion, is once again at the center of public debate.
On August 9, the fan community “Steve Yoo Gallery” issued an official statement calling on President Lee Jae Myung to make what they described as a “decisive” move to allow Steve Yoo’s return. The statement referenced the government’s reported review of pardons and reinstatements for politicians and public officials ahead of Korea’s Liberation Day on August 15, stressing that the same spirit of “tolerance and fairness” should apply to all citizens, including Steve Yoo.
Fans argued that despite two Supreme Court rulings in 2019 and 2023 declaring visa denials unlawful, entry restrictions remain in place. They emphasized that Steve Yoo had endured “years of criticism and sanctions,” and while not denying his past wrongdoing, they believe he has “fulfilled his social responsibility.” The statement urged President Lee Jae Myung to view the case as an opportunity to realize constitutional values of fairness and equality, similar to the pardons considered for figures such as Cho Kuk, former leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, and former lawmaker Yoon Mee Hyang.
Steve Yoo left Korea in 2002 before his scheduled enlistment, claiming it was for an overseas performance, but subsequently renounced his Korean citizenship and acquired U.S. citizenship. The Justice Ministry responded by placing him on a permanent entry ban list. In 2015, he applied for an F-4 overseas Korean visa at the Los Angeles Consulate, which would have allowed him to engage in commercial activities in Korea, but the application was rejected. Although he won two legal challenges, the Los Angeles Consulate again denied his visa in 2024, citing concerns that his actions after July 2, 2020, could harm “national security, public order, public welfare, or diplomatic interests.” Steve Yoo is currently engaged in a third administrative lawsuit against both the Consulate and the Justice Minister.
During the second hearing of his current lawsuit in June, Steve Yoo’s legal team argued that there were no valid reasons for the visa denial and that the decision violated the principle of proportional equality, urging the court to allow his entry. The Justice Ministry countered that the entry ban was within the Minister’s authority and discretion, noting that Steve Yoo had “continued to engage in disputes with the public” and could “cause social unrest” if allowed back into the country.
Public sentiment online has been largely critical. Many commenters argued that Steve Yoo forfeited his right to call for “national unity” by avoiding military service and relinquishing his Korean citizenship, with some saying that he should “fulfill his military duty first” before seeking entry. Others dismissed the fan statement outright, questioning why “a U.S. citizen should be part of national reconciliation” and expressing surprise that he “still has fans.” Several also pointed out past political remarks attributed to Steve Yoo, suggesting he direct his appeals toward the political groups he supported.
Full Statement (translated)
With the news that the government is reviewing pardons and reinstatements for politicians and public officials ahead of the August 15 Liberation Day, we express our deep agreement with the idea that pardons are a system meant to reduce social conflict and promote national unity.
We hope that the spirit of tolerance and inclusion will be applied fairly to all citizens, not only to politicians and public officials. In the case of Steve Yoo, whose entry has been restricted for over 20 years due to military service issues, the Supreme Court ruled twice—in 2019 and 2023—that the denial of his visa was unlawful. Nevertheless, the restrictions remain in place, and we believe this should be reconsidered in light of the principles of fairness and the rule of law.
Steve Yoo has endured much criticism and sanction over the years. This is not to say that there was no wrongdoing, but rather that he has sufficiently borne the social responsibility that followed. We believe it is now time to look back on the past and grant him the opportunity to live anew within Korean society.
Therefore, we earnestly appeal to President Lee Jae Myung.
We hope that the will for national unity and harmony demonstrated in the consideration of pardons for figures such as Cho Kuk, former leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, and former lawmaker Youn Mee Hyang, will also be applied to ordinary citizens like Steve Yoo. We sincerely wish that your decision will become an example of realizing the constitutional values of fairness and equity, and serve as an opportunity for national unity.
August 9, 2025
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