It's come to my attention that a number of posters here believe it is legal and viable to be dual passport holders - that being they hold a passport of both the Republic of Korea and another nation (the US for example).
I have always understood that the ROk does not allow dual passports past the age of adulthood. I was specifically told this by both Korean and Canadain Immigration (in regards to my daughter who holds both).
So, this thread is for info related to finding out the legalities of holding more than one passport.
http://seoul.usembassy.gov/dual_citizens_.html
QUOTE
Korean Nationality
Laws establishing one's claim to citizenship can be complex, and differ significantly from country to country. For information on other possible claims of nationality you should direct your queries to the appropriate country's embassy or representatives. This includes instances where your American Citizen child has a Korean parent. The child may have acquired Korean nationality at birth, though the final determination would rest with the Korean authorities. Begin by contacting the Korean government's Department of Nationality of the Immigration Bureau at 02-653-0462 (Korean language only).
The Government of the Republic of Korea does not permit dual citizenship after the age of 21. American citizens of Korean descent who hold dual citizenship under South Korean law and work or study in South Korea are usually compelled by the Republic of Korea to choose one or the other nationality soon after reaching that age.
In addition, South Korean men over the age of 18, including American citizens of Korean descent, are subject to compulsory military service. A dual national may not be allowed to abandon his ROK nationality until he finishes his military service, or has received a special exemption from military service. There have been several instances in which young American men of Korean descent, who were born and lived all of their lives in the United States, arrived in the ROK for a tourist visit only to find themselves drafted into the South Korean army.
Americans of Korean descent may request further information from the nearest South Korean Embassy or Consulate before visiting Korea.
In the U.S., contact the Embassy of the Republic of Korea at 2320 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 939-5660/63 or online. There are South Korean consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Guam, Honolulu, Houston, Miami, New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.
Laws establishing one's claim to citizenship can be complex, and differ significantly from country to country. For information on other possible claims of nationality you should direct your queries to the appropriate country's embassy or representatives. This includes instances where your American Citizen child has a Korean parent. The child may have acquired Korean nationality at birth, though the final determination would rest with the Korean authorities. Begin by contacting the Korean government's Department of Nationality of the Immigration Bureau at 02-653-0462 (Korean language only).
The Government of the Republic of Korea does not permit dual citizenship after the age of 21. American citizens of Korean descent who hold dual citizenship under South Korean law and work or study in South Korea are usually compelled by the Republic of Korea to choose one or the other nationality soon after reaching that age.
In addition, South Korean men over the age of 18, including American citizens of Korean descent, are subject to compulsory military service. A dual national may not be allowed to abandon his ROK nationality until he finishes his military service, or has received a special exemption from military service. There have been several instances in which young American men of Korean descent, who were born and lived all of their lives in the United States, arrived in the ROK for a tourist visit only to find themselves drafted into the South Korean army.
Americans of Korean descent may request further information from the nearest South Korean Embassy or Consulate before visiting Korea.
In the U.S., contact the Embassy of the Republic of Korea at 2320 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, telephone (202) 939-5660/63 or online. There are South Korean consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Guam, Honolulu, Houston, Miami, New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.
Perhaps these posters can show some evidence to prove me wrong?
QUOTE(Jarhier @ Jan 9 2008, 01:22 AM) [snapback]3413251[/snapback]
http://www.newcitizen.us/dual.html
What is Dual Citizenship (or Dual Nationality)?
Dual citizenship or dual nationality is simply being a citizen of two countries. The United States allows dual citizenship. For example, if you were born in Mexico you are a native-born Mexican. If you move to the United States and become a naturalized US citizen, you now have dual citizenship. Dual citizens can carry two passports and essentially live, work, and travel freely within their native and naturalized countries.
Some dual citizens also enjoy the privilege of voting in both countries, owning property in both countries, and having government health care in both countries.
keep yapping captain spammer.
What is Dual Citizenship (or Dual Nationality)?
Dual citizenship or dual nationality is simply being a citizen of two countries. The United States allows dual citizenship. For example, if you were born in Mexico you are a native-born Mexican. If you move to the United States and become a naturalized US citizen, you now have dual citizenship. Dual citizens can carry two passports and essentially live, work, and travel freely within their native and naturalized countries.
Some dual citizens also enjoy the privilege of voting in both countries, owning property in both countries, and having government health care in both countries.
keep yapping captain spammer.
QUOTE(WhiteKnight @ Jan 9 2008, 01:24 AM) [snapback]3413256[/snapback]
You can have dual citizenship in Korea and America. My dad has dual citizenship.
QUOTE(Jarhier @ Jan 9 2008, 01:44 AM) [snapback]3413293[/snapback]
my dad served in korea who also has dual citizenship and have no trouble having business there.
QUOTE(justanotherday @ Jan 9 2008, 01:51 AM) [snapback]3413302[/snapback]
the dual citizenship law is more geared towards koreans who want to avoid military duty.
So, are these posters right and can a ROK citizen legally hold more than one passport?