Steve Yoo wins third visa lawsuit against Los Angeles Consulate

Singer Steve Yoo (Yoo Seung-jun) has won a third administrative lawsuit against the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles regarding the denial of his visa. The appellate court upheld a previous ruling that the refusal to issue a visa was unlawful, noting that the disadvantage to Yoo outweighed the public interest gained from the denial.

Following the legal victory, Yoo expressed his desire to return to South Korea through a lengthy social media post. He addressed the long period of time passed since his 2002 controversy, when he acquired U.S. citizenship to avoid mandatory military service, which led to restrictions on his entry into South Korea. Yoo expressed apologies to his fans and stated his hope to eventually meet them again to convey his gratitude and sincerity.

While the court ruled in his favor, the decision does not guarantee the immediate issuance of a visa or permission to enter the country.