Military agency remains firm on Steve Yoo ban

Yoo Seung-jun / Korea Times file

The military manpower agency has made it clear that former top Korean singer and dancer Yoo Seung-jun can never obtain Korean citizenship.

“Yoo broke his promise (to serve in the military) and abandoned Korean citizenship,” a Military Manpower Administration (MMA) spokesperson told SBS TV show “One Night of TV Entertainment,” which aired on Wednesday.

“According to law, he can never recover his nationality, nor do we consider lifting a ban on him reentering the country.”

After debuting in 1997, Yoo gained nationwide popularity, before leaving for the United States in 2002. He had earlier said he would enlist, but retracted his words and dodged mandatory military service.

All able-bodied Korean men must do military service for about two years.

The MMA announcement came a day after Yoo posted a message on his Weibo page that read: “Do you remember me? It has been 13 years since I left Korea. Now, I want to return to you. I am very careful and nervous, but want to be honest and sincere. I apologize for being too late.”

He will talk about the controversy via live video streaming service Afreeca TV next Tuesday.