Apology 13 years too late

Former singer and draft-dodger seeks redemption

By Kim Jae-heun

Yoo Seung-jun

It took 13 years for Korean-American singer Yoo Seung-jun to apologize for dodging the draft, and his pleas now appear to be too late.

The Ministry of Justice said it was not considering lifting an entry ban on Yoo or reinstating his Korean citizenship.

Also, his critics say the K-pop scene has changed so drastically since he left that few fans would be enthused with his comeback.

In a 90-minute interview on the live video streaming service Afreeca TV, the former star said Tuesday, “Of course, I will go. I never expected my 2002 declaration would create such a controversy. If I can, I want to go back and change my decision.”

The singer, who also goes by his English name Steve Yoo, debuted in 1997, becoming an instant sensation and selling 5 million records in five years.

Yoo publicly said he would fulfill his compulsory military service but later went back to the U.S., announcing that he chose to become a naturalized U.S. citizen. It was only three months before he was supposed to report to boot camp.

He subsequently tried to return to Korea but his entry was denied.

“The biggest reason I applied for American citizenship was my father and the company I had to take care of,” Yoo said. “I went to America to say goodbye to my parents before joining the army. But my father persuaded me not to, because all our family members reside in America. I have been supporting my parents since I was 20 and I had to work. My 3.7 billion won ($3.38 million) contract to release my sixth and seventh album was also a factor. I was the only artist in my company and going to the army meant the company closing.

“Although I did not keep my promise with the public, it was not a plan to deceive people. I knew that I had to join the army since I was young.”

A Korean male citizen can delay his military duty until he turns 38, at the latest, under approved conditions. Yoo, who turned 39 this year, has received criticism that he has been waiting for the moment that he can legally skip military service if he returns to Korea.

Asked why it took 13 years for him to apologize, Yoo said he had no courage.

“I wasn’t ready and my pride did not allow me,” Yoo said. “I felt it was unfair, although I made the mistake.

“If the people and government show me mercy to come back to Korea with my family, I will endure anything to apologize.”

Meanwhile, the Military Manpower Agency (MMA) and justice ministry have no plan to change their stance against Yoo.

“The matter is not worth discussing, and no more word is needed,” said an MMA official in a phone interview with local media Wednesday. “Steve Yoo obtained U.S. citizenship to evade his military service. He cannot recover his Korean nationality by law.”