Nationality

Nationality (국적/國籍) means whether he or she is a citizen of a nation or sovereign state. Citizenship is determined by jus soli, jus sanguinis, or naturalization, which affords the state jurisdiction over the person and affords the person the protection of the state.

In Korea, the nationality is determined by the relevant act - Nationality Act (국적법).

Key words
nationality, citizen, general/special naturalization, residence

Forward-lookig Amendment of the Nationality Act
The newly amended Nationality Act was promulgated on May 4, 2010 and entered into force on January 1st, 2011.

The newly amended Act is characterized by that naturalization of foreign talents is permitted regardless of the period of a domicile's sustainability in the Republic of Korea.

Although the domicile requirement for general naturalization of a foreigner is at least five consecutive years (at least two consecutive years for a foreigner whose spouse is a national of the Republic of Korea), there was a change so as to allow special naturalization for foreign talents in specific fields such as science and economics.

Multiple Nationality
The obligation to renounce foreign nationality was eased for foreigners who attained the nationality of the Republic of Korea.

The period of foreign nationality renouncement was prolonged from six months to one year, and it became possible for foreigners to maintain multiple nationality (복수국적, 이중국적) in actuality by signing the 'declaration not to exercise foreign nationality' instead of renouncing foreign nationality.

Those who may sign the 'declaration not to exercise foreign nationality' include candidates for special naturalization like foreigners of talent, foreigners whose spouse is a national of the Republic of Korea, those who became multiple nationals by birth, overseas adoptees, permanently returned overseas Koreans who are over fully over 65 years of age and so on.

The procedures for choosing and renouncing one nationality of multiple nationals were improved. When multiple nationals chose the nationality of the Republic of Korea, signing the 'declaration not to exercise foreign nationality' became possible as an alternative to renouncing foreign nationality.

For reference, those who became multiple nationals before fully turning 20 years of age should choose one nationality before fully turning 22 years of age, and those who became multiple nationals after fully turning 20 years of age should choose one nationality within 2 years from such time.

Qualification for dual nationality
For further information, see Dual nationality.