What will Jin Sung-joon discuss during his visit to the U.S. Pacific Command?

Jin said he would meet the U.S. Pacific commander and other U.S. military leaders to discuss strengthening bilateral security cooperation and developing a future-oriented alliance.

Why was Jin Sung-joon’s U.S. visa application initially refused?

The exact reason was unclear. Some observers suggested his past conviction for violating Korea’s National Security Act may have been a factor.

When is Jin Sung-joon scheduled to leave for the United States, and what visa did he receive?

Jin said he would depart Sunday afternoon. He said the U.S. State Department had issued him an official A-2 visa, which he received from the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.

Ruling party lawmaker issued US visa, days after refusal

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Summary

Rep. Jin Sung-joon received a U.S. A-2 visa from the U.S. Embassy in Seoul on Saturday, days after saying his application had been rejected. He plans to depart Sunday afternoon for the U.S. Pacific Command and discuss bilateral security cooperation and the alliance with U.S. military leaders. Jin said the State Department issued the visa belatedly. The reason for the earlier refusal was unclear, though some observers pointed to his past conviction under Korea’s National Security Act.

Key Facts

Jin said he had visited the U.S. command in 2014 as a member of a parliamentary committee.
Jin was sentenced in 1991 to three years in prison and a three-year suspension of qualifications for violating Korea’s National Security Act.
Jin serves as chairman of the parliamentary defense committee.
Jin said he shared what appeared to be a document showing the refusal of his visa application on Facebook on Wednesday.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 31, 2026 10:05 am KST
Updated Oct 31, 2026 10:06 am KST

Rep. Jin Sung-joon of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea / Yonhap

Rep. Jin Sung-joon of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea said Saturday he has been issued a U.S. visa for a trip to the U.S. Pacific Command, days after he said his application was rejected.

Jin, who serves as chairman of the parliamentary defense committee, said in a Facebook post that he received the visa from the U.S. Embassy in Seoul and that it was fortunate the U.S. State Department has issued the official A-2 visa, albeit belatedly.

The lawmaker said he will depart Sunday afternoon and hold discussions with the U.S Pacific commander and other U.S. military leaders about strengthening bilateral security cooperation and developing a future-oriented alliance.

On Wednesday, Jin had said his U.S. visa application was rejected and shared on Facebook what appeared to be a document that showed his application was refused.

Jin expressed strong regret, saying the rejection was difficult to understand, given that he had visited the U.S. command in 2014 as a member of the parliamentary committee.

The exact reason for the denial was unclear, but some observers note that Jin's past conviction for violating Korea's National Security Act may have been a factor. He was sentenced to three years in prison and a three-year suspension of qualifications in 1991 for violating the law.

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