Yoo Seung Joon (Photo : Pammie N/YouTube)
Enlisting in South Korea’s military, a requirement among all male aged 18 to 35, is a big issue for Korean boy band members and young actors because it would mean being away from the limelight from 21 to 36 months.
Despite their misgivings, many male celebrities comply with the law, among them Ryeowook of Super Junior who would enlist on Oct. 11 to become an active duty soldier for 21 months after five weeks of training.
Yoo Seung Joon, also known as Steve Yoo, ended his career in 2002 even if he was one of the biggest selling artists with his record sales reaching more than 5 million copies. Yoo was known for two things – his high-energy dancing style and being the first high-profile person to dodge the draft by going to the U.S.
As a result, he was banned from returning to South Korea, so he started an acting career in China where he had appeared in 14 movies and filmed a 60-episode drama. But Yoo Seung Joon is fighting now the permanent ban which the Seoul Administrative Court upheld on Sept. 30, Allkpop reported.
In rejecting his appeal, the court said allowing the singer to return to the country would demoralize soldiers currently serving and set a bad example to teenagers who want to avoid conscription.
In a new appeal filed by Yoo Seung Joon’s lawyer, the celebrity cited that 17,229 evaded military service the last five years. However, he pointed out he is the only one banned from returning to Korea.
He kept silent for 13 years until he spoke on May 19 when he knelt and apologized to the Minister of Justice, Director of Military Affairs, Head of Immigration Management and those currently serving.
Yoo Seung Joon said his parents in the U.S. persuaded him to evade the draft and felt there was a conflict because of his contract with the agency. He said it was his father who filed for his citizenship which he refused until the end. He did not go to the citizenship interview, but 9/11 happened, so acquiring American citizenship became harder.
He said he tried to enlist again but was no longer allowed since he is 39 years old now and the law placed a maximum enlistment age of 38. Yoo Seung Joon expressed willingness to give up his citizenship just so he could return to Korea.
