"Trying to Sell Out the Country"... Citizens Strongly Oppose 'China Privilege Controversy' in Nationality Act Amendment

'Opposition to Nationality Act Amendment' Blue House Petition Surpasses 310,000
Ministry of Justice Explains "Not Favoring Specific Countries"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Opposition is mounting against the 'Nationality Act Amendment' aimed at making it easier for foreign-born children to acquire Korean nationality. Although the government explained that the measure is intended to secure human resources in an era of low birth rates and aging population, backlash has arisen over the fact that most beneficiaries of the amendment are Chinese nationals, with critics accusing it of giving 'special privileges to Chinese.'

Earlier, the Ministry of Justice announced on the 26th of last month that foreign-born children holding Korean permanent residency would be able to acquire nationality by notification alone, bypassing the existing written tests and interviews, through the proposed amendment to the Nationality Act.

Once the law is amended, children aged six and under among the eligible group will be able to acquire nationality without additional requirements, and those aged seven and above can acquire nationality by notification if they meet the condition of having resided in Korea for more than five years. Previously, children of permanent residents had to obtain naturalization approval as adults if their parents had not acquired nationality, even if they were born in Korea.

However, not all children of permanent residents qualify. They must have been born in Korea over two to three generations or have close bloodline and historical ties, such as overseas Koreans.

The Ministry of Justice explained that the background for pushing the amendment is to proactively respond to changes in population structure due to securing future talent and entering a low birth rate and aging society.

The Ministry of Justice expects about 3,930 people to newly acquire nationality through the amendment, of whom 94.8% are known to be children of ethnic Korean Chinese nationals (Joseonjok) and Chinese nationals residing in Korea (Hwagyo).

A Blue House petition post opposing the revision of the Nationality Act. Photo by Blue House Petition Board

Some citizens have strongly opposed this, saying "we will become a vassal state of China." Some have criticized the amendment as an attempt to "undermine the principle of jus sanguinis, which is the foundation of our nationality system," and expressed outrage, saying "they are selling out the country to China."

On the 28th of last month, a petition titled "Strongly oppose the enactment of the Nationality Act amendment" was posted on the Blue House's public petition platform.

The petitioner argued, "The idea that the amendment to the Nationality Act will solve low birth rates and aging is absurd," and added, "I know how many rights many foreigners, including Hwagyo, have in society. They can purchase real estate more easily than nationals and enjoy various benefits in local elections."

They continued, "We do not want foreigners to assimilate into Korea, dilute our culture, and live together as Koreans," and said, "We will strive to firmly maintain the bonds and identity of the Korean people against external infiltration." This petition garnered over 310,000 signatures by the 28th.

Ministry of Justice. Photo by Yonhap News

In response to the controversy, the Ministry of Justice held a briefing on the 28th, actively clarifying that "this is not preferential treatment for any specific country." Song Soyoung, head of the Nationality Division at the Ministry of Justice, explained, "Due to historical and geographical factors, a large proportion of policy beneficiaries are foreigners from a specific country," but added, "As the policy environment changes and the countries of permanent residents diversify, the concentration on a specific country will ease."

Regarding the criticism that the principle of jus sanguinis is being abandoned, she said, "The amendment targets those born in Korea over two generations or those with the same bloodline, maintaining the foundation of jus sanguinis while partially supplementing jus soli," and added, "Rather, it applies to children born in Korea to overseas Koreans of the same bloodline who have returned as permanent residents, so jus sanguinis is maintained."

Addressing concerns about becoming a "vassal state of China," she stated, "The subjects of this system are children born in Korea, and acquiring nationality does not immediately grant voting rights, etc. Political expression as adults is the same as ordinary citizens. If dual nationality is maintained, appointments to public office or political advancement are restricted. The vassal state controversy appears to be unfounded."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.