Lee Seung-chul Reveals Why He Hasn't Been Able to Visit Japan for a Decade

Singer Lee Seung-chul has opened up about his inability to travel to Japan for the past ten years. In 2014, after performing with a North Korean defector youth group on Dokdo, he was denied entry into Japan. On November 25, during an appearance on the YouTube channel 'Jjanhan Hyung with Shin Dong-yup,' Lee confirmed that he still cannot go to Japan when asked by Shin Dong-yup, who jokingly suggested that Lee might be using Japanese words in hopes of being allowed entry.

Lee laughed at the comment and responded, 'I’m trying to think of it as if I’m in Japan by using Japanese words.' He then elaborated on the circumstances that led to his travel restrictions. Lee explained that a choir composed of North Korean defectors approached him, expressing a desire to perform a song on Dokdo. Initially hesitant due to potential political implications, he was persuaded by his wife to participate.

The song, titled 'That Day,' was about unification and world peace. Lee recounted that he performed alone at the United Nations because it was impractical to bring the entire choir, but later he was able to perform with them at Harvard University’s Memorial Church. However, upon arriving in Japan afterward, he encountered issues.

Shin Dong-yup noted that the timing was particularly sensitive, to which Lee humorously remarked that elderly people in rural areas still refer to him as a patriot. On August 14, 2014, Lee Seung-chul traveled three hours by boat to Dokdo with a choir of 40 university students from a North Korean defector organization called 'With You,' where they performed the 3-minute and 55-second song 'That Day' in hopes of promoting unification.

Following this performance, Lee was barred from entering Japan in November of the same year. He was detained for about four hours at Haneda Airport before being released. At that time, his agency attributed the entry denial to the Dokdo concert, stating that an immigration officer indicated it was due to recent media coverage related to the event.

However, the Japanese government denied any connection between Lee's entry ban and the Dokdo performance. A government spokesperson stated that Lee's denial was based on immigration laws and was unrelated to his performance on Dokdo.

In a 2022 interview, when asked if he regretted going to Dokdo, Lee stated, 'I do not regret it. I am proud of it. I did not go for political reasons; it was a purely peaceful event.' He emphasized the importance of taking responsibility for the stage as a leader and singer for the North Korean defector students. Lee acknowledged the absurdity of his situation but also noted that it was difficult to place all the blame on Japan. He expressed hope that both countries could ease their entry restrictions and enhance civilian exchanges, which might lead to progress on other issues. He also mentioned his desire to play a role in fostering reconciliation between Korea and Japan if given the opportunity.