Korean Job Discussion Forums

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Korean-American singer Yoo Seung-joon, who was denied reentry to South Korea more than a year ago on suspicions that he obtained American citizenship to evade compulsory military service, will arrive today from the U.S. but definitely not with open arms.

The Justice Ministry said yesterday that his entry ban will be temporarily lifted so that he can attend the funeral of his finance's father.

"Although Yoo did not request the ban to be lifted, we decided to temporarily allow him to enter the country based on philanthropic considerations and relevant regulations," a Justice Ministry official said.

Yoo will arrive at Incheon International Airport at 5:20 a.m. aboard a Korean Air flight from Los Angeles.

The period of his stay will be decided by the head of the airport�s immigration bureau after hearing how long Yoo needs to remain in the country to attend the funeral proceedings, the official said.

His visit will be the first since February of last year, when he was banned from entering the country after he acquired American citizenship, which exempted him from compulsory military service by loss of his Korean nationality. Korean law does not accept dual citizenships.

http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200306/kt2003062522255712070.htm

On the other hand · Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Location: I walk along the avenue

Given all the under-the-table and legally suspect deals that get cut by wealthy kids to avoid military service, the ban on Yoo Seung-joon does seem a little hypocritical. Almost like they go after him in lieu of nabbing the more powerful offenders. That said, no country is legally obliged to admit a foreigner, and Mr. Yoo deliberately made himself a foreigner. If he wants the rights and privileges of Korean citizenship, he should've stayed a Korean citizen.

Manner of Speaking · Joined: 09 Jan 2003

Hank Scorpio · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Son Deureo! · Joined: 30 Apr 2003

Elvis actually arranged for himself to be drafted. Remember, it was well before the height of the Vietnam War, and he served in Germany. It was all a big publicity stunt, and the idea was that his records woul sell better while he was in the army, and he would be able to make a triumphant comeback once he had finished his service. Things didn't work out quite the way he had planned.

FierceInvalid · Joined: 16 Mar 2003

The government's doing us all a favour. Thank you, Korea.

Wow....

jurassic5 · Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Location: PA

Dan · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Sunny Glendale, CA

its also because he got all his fame and money from korea, but people's perception was that he is just using the country for his personal benefit without thought of giving anything back.

squewed certainly, but i think you can understand where they are coming from

Dr. Buck · Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Location: Land of the Morning Clam

Amen to that Hank Scorpio. It seems that using the USA as an escape valve isn't such a perfect plan.

dogbert · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Location: Killbox 90210

sparkx · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: thekimchipot.com

I love that the guy thought he could waltz over to America and be showered with the same fame he gets here. Little did he know music producers would just greet him with "Yoo Seung who?" and boot his no talent k-pop a$$ out onto the street.

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Yoo Seung-joon's parents are U.S. residents. Does this matter?
He previously lived and worked for several years in L.A. Does this matter?

What about Park Chon Ho? He served a special term (three weeks?)
The members of the national soccer team were exempt.

On the other hand · Joined: 19 Apr 2003 Location: I walk along the avenue

Reality:

Good point about the soccer team exemptions. I remember the man-on-the-street rationale at the time being something like "Well, they are doing great things for Korea already". I can see this line applying to doctors or engineers, but soccer players? I also seem to recall that the exemption was conditional on their making it to a certain round of the series.
In fairness, it is my understanding that, at the time of the Vietnam War, just being in college was enough to get an American male exempt from the draft.

SeoulSearcher · Joined: 08 Jun 2003 Location: Neither up nor down

I saw the guy on TV today crying at the funeral-in true Korean style there were more cameramen pushing and shoving than mourners.

Another funny thing was the way he was crying, I think he wasn't so much upset that he was at a funeral as he was that the thought "I'm totally screwed, now what am I gonna do?" kept running through his head.

panthermodern · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Location: Taxronto

Not that it is all that relivant but:

Did not Jimmi Hendrix serve in 'Nam?