An independent voice for ethical adoption
Korean adoptees weigh pros and cons of dual citizenship
From The Korea Herald:
A Korean adoptee organization, GOA’L (Global Overseas Adoptee’s Link), hosted a seminar on July 31 to introduce adoptees interested in acquiring dual citizenship to the details of the process…
Among the benefits of dual citizenship is the right to vote, run for public office, and also easier access to credit or financial services in Korea.
Among the disadvantages is the loss of eligibility for scholarships aimed at foreign students, restricted access to foreign schools in Korea for those with families, and restricted access to embassies of their other nationality in Korea. Finally, for a number of cases of male adoptees under the age of 36 who still appear on their birth family’s hojuk, or family registry, some military service may be required. While they will not be forced to serve the normal two year term, they may be required to serve in “civil defense exercises” that Korean males typically continue once a year for seven years even after the completion of their military service.
Historically, dual citizenship hasn’t been possible in Korea either. Technically, children who obtain foreign citizenship before they are 20 carry dual citizenship until the age of 22, when they must then renounce one of their two nationalities. If they do not specifically claim their Korean citizenship before this age, it is automatically forfeited. In other cases, if Korean citizens gain another nationality, either through marriage or merit, their Korean citizenship is simultaneously forfeited.
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