Korea: Information on whether North Korean and South Korean nationals loose their nationality if they become nationals of another country, and whether children born of North Korean and South Korean nationals outside of North Korea and South Korea are nationals of their respective states
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 January 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ZZZ16177.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Korea: Information on whether North Korean and South Korean nationals loose their nationality if they become nationals of another country, and whether children born of North Korean and South Korean nationals outside of North Korea and South Korea are nationals of their respective states, 1 January 1994, ZZZ16177.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abd42b.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
KIMSPublisher:Toronto
According to a representative of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea (South), under Korean law Korean nationals automatically loose their Korean nationality if they become nationals of another country; multiple nationality is not permitted (5 Jan. 1994). This source further explained that a child of Korean parents who is born outside of Korea is, until the age of 16 or 18 (the exact age was unknown by the source), entitled to Korean nationality (ibid.). The source stated that once the child reaches 16 or 18 years of age, he/she must choose which nationality he/she wants to adopt (ibid.).
A representative of the Permanent Mission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North) to the United Nations in New York stated that to date there has been no specific law on nationality and therefore was unable to provide any information on nationality or dual nationality (6 Jan. 1994).
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Ottawa. 5 January 1994. Telephone interview with representative.
Permanent mission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the United Nations. Telephone interview with representative.
Attachment
Republic of Korea (South). Nationality Act. 30 September 1963.
