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Dual Citizenship: Conditional Asia

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South Korea

Last Updated: 2026-03-31

Official Portal: Ministry of Justice — Nationality Division

Embassy Finder: Korean Diplomatic Missions

Quick Facts

CategoryDetails
Residency for naturalization5 years of continuous lawful residence (reduced in certain cases)
Language requirementLevel 5 or higher on the KIIP (Korea Immigration and Integration Program) language test, or TOPIK Level 5+
Civics testKIIP Level 5 comprehensive examination (Korean society and law)
Processing time12—24 months from application to approval
Naturalization feeKRW 300,000 (approximately USD 230)
Dual citizenshipConditional — permitted in limited cases since the 2010 amendment
Citizenship by birth in South KoreaNo general jus soli; citizenship is based on parentage
Citizenship by descentYes, through either parent who is a Korean citizen at the time of birth
Governing lawNationality Act (Act No. 16, 1948, as amended through 2022)

Dual Citizenship — Conditional (Since 2010)

South Korea historically prohibited dual citizenship and required renunciation of foreign nationality upon naturalization. The 2010 amendment to the Nationality Act introduced limited acceptance of dual citizenship.

Who may hold dual citizenship:

  1. Persons of Korean descent born abroad who acquired a foreign nationality at birth (e.g., born in the US to Korean parents). They may retain both citizenships if they take an oath not to exercise their foreign nationality within South Korea before age 22 (or within 2 years of reaching age 18, or within 2 years of military service completion for males).
  2. Marriage migrants who naturalize in South Korea may retain their original nationality under certain conditions.
  3. Persons of outstanding talent (science, economy, culture, sports) who naturalize may be permitted to retain their foreign nationality.
  4. Elderly returnees (age 65+) of Korean descent returning to South Korea may retain dual nationality.

The critical restriction for males: Korean males must complete their mandatory military service (approximately 18—21 months) before they can renounce Korean citizenship or make an election regarding dual nationality. A male Korean citizen who has not completed military service cannot renounce Korean citizenship until he does so or receives an exemption. This applies from age 18 until the completion of all military obligations (typically until age 40 for reserve duties).

Within South Korea: Dual nationals must use only their Korean passport and Korean identity. They cannot invoke their foreign nationality for any legal purpose within Korean territory (the “domestic non-exercise oath”).

Acquisition of Nationality

By Birth (Jus Sanguinis)

South Korea follows jus sanguinis. Birth on Korean territory does not confer citizenship unless:

  1. At least one parent is a Korean citizen at the time of birth.
  2. The father was a Korean citizen at the time of death (if deceased before the child’s birth).
  3. The child is born in Korea and both parents are unknown or stateless.

The 1998 amendment to the Nationality Act made the law gender-neutral. Before 1998, Korean citizenship was transmitted only through the father.

By Descent

Children born abroad to at least one Korean parent are Korean citizens from birth. Birth registration at a Korean consulate is recommended but not a prerequisite for citizenship. There is no generational limit, but practical difficulties arise if ancestors have not maintained Korean documentation.

By Adoption

A minor (under 18) adopted by a Korean citizen may acquire Korean citizenship by filing a report with the Ministry of Justice. The adoption must be legally recognized under Korean law.

By Marriage

Marriage to a Korean citizen does not automatically confer citizenship. A foreign spouse may apply for simplified naturalization with a reduced residency period:

  • Must have been married to the Korean spouse for at least 2 years and resided in Korea for at least 1 year, OR
  • Must have been married for at least 3 years and resided in Korea for at least 2 years of the preceding 3 years.

All other naturalization requirements (language, civics, character) apply.

By Naturalization

RequirementDetails
Residency5 years of continuous domicile in South Korea (reduced to 3 years for children of Korean nationals; reduced for marriage migrants as above)
AgeAt least 20 years old (Korean age of majority)
LanguageKIIP Level 5+ or TOPIK Level 5+
CivicsKIIP comprehensive examination (Korean society, law, culture)
CharacterGood conduct; no criminal record
FinancialSufficient assets or skills to support oneself (minimum net assets of approximately KRW 60 million or stable income)
RenunciationMust renounce foreign nationality within 1 year of acquiring Korean nationality (exceptions for permitted dual nationals)
FeeKRW 300,000

Loss and Renunciation

Voluntary Renunciation

A Korean citizen may renounce nationality by filing a declaration with the Ministry of Justice, provided they hold another nationality. The renunciation takes effect upon approval.

Military service requirement: Males aged 18—40 who have not completed military service obligations cannot renounce Korean citizenship. This is strictly enforced. The only exceptions are males who have received a military service exemption or who have been classified as permanently unfit for service.

Involuntary Loss

  • Failure to choose nationality by age 22: A person born with dual nationality who fails to elect Korean citizenship (and take the domestic non-exercise oath) by the deadline forfeits Korean nationality.
  • Voluntary acquisition of foreign nationality: A Korean citizen who voluntarily acquires foreign nationality loses Korean citizenship, unless they are an approved dual national.
  • Fraud: Nationality obtained through false documentation or misrepresentation may be revoked within 5 years.
  • Exercise of foreign nationality in Korea: A dual national who violates the domestic non-exercise oath may have their Korean citizenship revoked.

Restoration of Nationality

A former Korean citizen may apply for restoration of nationality (gukjeok hoebog) under Article 9 of the Nationality Act. Requirements include:

  1. Must have domicile in South Korea.
  2. Must meet the same character and financial requirements as for naturalization.
  3. Must renounce any foreign nationality within 1 year (unless eligible for dual nationality).
  4. Males: Must have completed military service obligations or be over the service age.

The Ministry of Justice reviews restoration applications and may deny them on national security or public interest grounds. Restoration is not automatic.

Stateless Persons and Foundlings

The Nationality Act (Article 2) provides that a child born in South Korea is a Korean citizen if:

  • Both parents are unknown, OR
  • Both parents are stateless.

This provision prevents statelessness for children born on Korean territory. Foundlings discovered in South Korea are presumed to have been born in South Korea and are granted Korean citizenship.

South Korea is a party to the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons but is not a party to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

Document Checklist

  • Nationality application form (obtained from the Ministry of Justice or local immigration office)
  • Valid passport and Alien Registration Card (ARC)
  • Birth certificate (apostilled and translated into Korean)
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable, apostilled and translated)
  • KIIP completion certificate or TOPIK score report (Level 5+)
  • Criminal background check (from country of origin, apostilled)
  • Korean criminal record check (issued by Korean police)
  • Proof of financial capacity (bank statements, tax returns, property documents)
  • Proof of residence in Korea (lease agreement, utility bills)
  • Family relation certificate (hojeok or gajokkwangye-jeungmyeongseo) for Korean spouse/parent
  • Two passport-sized photographs
  • Military service records (for male applicants or male dual nationals)
  • Application fee payment receipt (KRW 300,000)

Sources

  1. Nationality Act of the Republic of Korea — As amended. Korean Law Information Center: https://www.law.go.kr/

  2. Ministry of Justice — Immigration and Nationality Division. https://www.moj.go.kr/

  3. Korea Immigration Service (Hi Korea) — Online services for residence and nationality. https://www.hikorea.go.kr/

  4. Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Consular services abroad. https://www.mofa.go.kr/

  5. Military Manpower Administration — National Service obligations. https://www.mma.go.kr/

  6. Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP) — Social integration and language testing. https://www.socinet.go.kr/

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