Steven Yoo, also known as Yoo Seung-jun, was banned from entering South Korea in 2002 after he was accused of dodging military service. Now, almost two decades later, he is attempting to re-enter the country.

유승준 신곡 앨범 재킷.

16 years after Steven Yoo was banned from traveling to South Korea, the artist who played an instrumental role in the development of the music scene is looking for a way back in.

In 2002, the South Korean government accused Yoo of evading mandatory military service when he chose to accept U.S. citizenship shortly before he was to join the army. Now in his early forties, Yoo is planning to releases a new song and return as a singer in the country.

Further, expressing his intention to find a way back into South Korea, Yoo is looking to change his visa status through the South Korean consulate in Los Angeles. According to the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans Act, which took effect in May this year, Yoo is eligible to change the status of his visa.

However, according to his previous attempts to contest his ban, the results may not be in his favor. Previously, the artist held an F-4 visa,  a special visa for Korean nationals with permanent residency status in another country. Holders of this visa are allowed to travel to and from the country freely. The South Korean government has denied Yoo the ability to obtain this visa.

Steven Yoo
After marriage and forming a family, Steven Yoo talks about wanting to step onto Korean soil in a web broadcast.

Yoo filed a lawsuit previously to contest the denial of visa to visit South Korea. The court struck down suit in the first and second trial leaving him back at square one. Notwithstanding how the current lawsuit will fair, Yoo will release his new song “Another day,” on Thursday. According to his social media post that announced the release, it will be available on major streaming music sites. Notably, this is the first time he has released music in 11 years since his last album in 2007.

In addition to “Another Day” audio, Yoo plans to released a music video for the song next month on the 5th. Interestingly, he has also stated that he will donate all profits from the album in an attempt to repair his public image in Korea.

Meanwhile, Steven Yoo enjoyed great popularity in the 1990s, was scheduled to join the military in 2002. However, he was exempted from military service after gaining U.S. citizenship three months before he was expected to enlist. The Ministry of Justice imposed an entry ban under Article 11, and possibly 5, of the Immigration Control Act on the belief that Yoo gave up his nationality to avoid military service.

 

 

Original article

Translated by O.C

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