Individuals who grew up in South Korea believing they were citizens are encountering severe legal challenges after discovering their nationality status is invalid. South Korea adheres strictly to nationality by bloodline, and many affected individuals were unofficially adopted or registered as biological offspring through falsified birth records decades ago. Following audits and legal corrections by authorities, these individuals have had their registrations annulled, leaving them without valid citizenship and creating substantial barriers to accessing public services, higher education, and lawful employment.
- South Korea grants citizenship primarily through biological parentage rather than birthplace.
- Many affected individuals were informally adopted decades ago, with guardians filing them as biological children on family registries rather than processing formal adoptions.
- Official reviews and genealogical discrepancies have led courts and administrative bodies to nullify inaccurate birth registrations.
- Those impacted typically discover their lack of legal nationality as young adults when attempting to obtain passports, register for mandatory military service, or renew state identification.
- The loss of legal status leaves these individuals at risk of statelessness and severely restricts access to national health insurance, higher education, and formal employment.
Based in Singapore, CNA (Channel News Asia) covers global developments with an Asian perspective, with correspondents based in major cities across Asia, including Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing, as well as in New York, Washington D.C. and London.
Official website: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/
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terrifying state
This is an unacceptable miscommunication. The status of anyone taking dual citizenship should have been displayed online so that no confusion would occur. I feel bad for the affected parents n children. 😢
Furthermore the system should be able to register immediately if a child can benefit from subsidiaries or not, thus not having to suddenly ask them to pay back in the future when discovered.
Japan makes it easy: kids can be dual citizens, but at a certain age, they need to choose 1 country. But, Japan has been a bit lax with enforcing this law. At least for now.
The country has a birthrate issue, and is even encouraging single men to find wives overseas. Seems like a problem that should be addressed quickly before difficult to reverse life decisions are made.
If he is not citizen, they why would they made him serve the army?
it's obvious thing, in the age of AI, we no longer need to have large families. In fact, having too many children could become a burden, especially in developed countries. Immigration controls for people coming from less-developed countries should also be strengthened. Illegal immigrants should face permanent deportation and substantial fines.
The Law is the Law unless the Government changes it with due process and the change does not revert back, it can only be effective going FORWARD.
Looks like they tried to take an advantage of dual citizenship to avoid mandatory military service and got messed up.
Pick one citizenship. Don’t be a double dipper than act surprise. Korea, hold your ground.
That is what you get when you believe dual citizenship is something good. Pick a side!