There is a distinction between nationality and permanent residency.
Differences between nationality, permanent residency, and citizenship- “Nationality” and “permanent residency” are differentiated as follows (see Article 1 of the Nationality Act; see Subparagraph 2 of Article 10 of the Immigration Act; and see the website of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Canada).
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Nationality |
Permanent Residency |
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▪ Refers to the criteria for becoming a citizen of a certain country ▪ The nationality of the Republic of Korea can be acquired through birth, acknowledgment, naturalization, or nationality restoration. |
▪ Refers to the right granted to foreigners who meet certain criteria to reside permanently in the Republic of Korea ▪ Even if a national of the Republic of Korea acquires permanent residency in another country, they still maintain their Korean identity. |
※ Distinction from citizenship
- “Citizenship” can largely be seen as having a similar legal nature and function to nationality. In Anglo-Saxon countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, a citizen is essentially viewed as a national of that country. For legal matters, citizenship and nationality are treated as equivalent concepts (see the website of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to South Korean Embassy in Canada).