Multiple nationals must choose one nationality within a certain period.
Legal status of multiple nationals- A “multiple national” refers to someone who, because of birth or other reasons under the Nationality Act, possesses both the Republic of Korea and a foreign nationality. In the application of Korean laws, they are treated solely as nationals of the Republic of Korea (see Article 11-2(1) of the Nationality Act; Article 16(1) of the Enforcement Decree of the Nationality Act).
· Those who have acquired the nationality of the Republic of Korea and have made a pledge not to exercise foreign nationality
· Nationals of the Republic of Korea who acquired foreign nationality and reported to the Minister of Justice their intention to retain the nationality of the Republic of Korea within 6 months
·Those who, according to Article 2(1) of the supplementary provisions of the Nationality Act (Law No. 10275), pledged to the Minister of Justice not to exercise their foreign nationality and reacquired nationality of the Republic of Korea or reacquired a foreign nationality and then pledged not to exercise that foreign nationality
- Multiple nationals who wish to work in fields where they cannot perform duties while possessing a foreign nationality under relevant laws must renounce their foreign nationality (Article 11-2(2) of the Nationality Act).
※ For detailed information on renouncing foreign nationality and pledges not to exercise foreign nationality, please see the content <Renunciation and Loss of Nationality-Obligation of Nationals of the Republic of Korea to Renounce Foreign Nationality-Renunciation of Foreign Nationality and Pledge Not to Exercise Foreign Nationality> or contact the Foreigner Information Center (☎1345).
Deadline for multiple nationals to choose nationality- Individuals who became multiple nationals before turning 20 must choose one nationality before turning 22, while those who became multiple nationals after turning 20 must do so within 2 years from that time. However, multiple nationals who have pledged to the Minister of Justice not to exercise their foreign nationality in the Republic of Korea are excluded (Article 12(1) of the Nationality Act).
- Individuals incorporated into military reserve duty must choose one nationality within 3 months from the time of their incorporation or within 2 years from any of the following situations. However, if they wish to choose the nationality of the Republic of Korea, they can do so even before these situations occur (see Article 12(2) and (3) of the Nationality Act):
· After completing their service as active-duty, full-time reserve, supplementary, or alternative military service;
· When incorporated into wartime labor service; or
· When granted exemption from military service.