Dual citizenships among South Koreans increasing

More than 85,000 South Korean nationals hold citizenship in another country, a number that is increasing every year, Justice Ministry data showed Sunday.

Documents provided for the ongoing parliamentary audit said 85,965 South Koreans held dual citizenship as of the end of August this year, up from 15,235 in 2011. There was an increase every year: 26,846 in 2012, 40,442 in 2013, 53,111 in 2014 and 64,633 in 2015. Officials believe there are more such people than what the latest figure suggests since not everyone is registered with the government.

South Korea in principle does not allow simultaneous citizenship, but the law was revised in January 2011 to recognize the status on a limited basis for those who unintentionally gained foreign citizenship by birthright, people who marry South Korean citizens and foreign Korean residents 65 or older who want to revive their Korean citizenship.

People who seek dual citizenship must submit a written pledge to the Justice Ministry vowing not to exercise their rights as a foreign resident while in South Korea. (Yonhap)