청 "Nationality Act Amendment Bill to Undergo Thorough Discussion Including Experts Opposed"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Blue House responded to a petition opposing the legislative amendment of the 'Nationality Act,' which aims to make it easier for children born in Korea to permanent residents to acquire Korean nationality, stating that "we will include experts who oppose the amendment and conduct a thorough discussion process."

On the 28th, the Blue House stated in its response to the 'Petition Opposing the Legislative Amendment of the Nationality Act,' "The government will not rush and will strive to prepare the amendment to the Nationality Act through sufficient review," adding, "Since the nationality system determines the members of the national community, gaining public consensus is of utmost importance."

This petition expresses a skeptical stance on solving low birth rates and aging through the amendment of the Nationality Act and demands the complete withdrawal of the amendment, with a total of 310,000 people agreeing.

The Blue House explained that the purpose of the Ministry of Justice's amendment to the Nationality Act is "considering the situation where children born in Korea to permanent residents, even if they have an identity and deep ties equivalent to nationals through regular education after birth, cannot acquire nationality independently until they reach adulthood," and that the amendment aims "to accept them early as members of society and grant them rights and duties as nationals to foster national identity more quickly."

It also added that discussions on this system began in 2005, and it was reviewed through tasks selected in the 2018 Basic Plan for Foreign Policy, a 2019 public awareness survey, and a 2020 research project, referencing nationality systems of other countries such as Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. It further noted that opinion-gathering processes, including online public hearings, were conducted during the legislative notice period.

The Blue House stated, "However, the Ministry of Justice, considering the various opinions including the public petition regarding this amendment, announced that it will listen to public opinions additionally regardless of the end of the legislative notice period," and added, "It plans to conduct a separate opinion-hearing process targeting organizations and experts who point out concerns and issues regarding this amendment."

It also said, "We plan to gather opinions from the general public through various methods," and added, "After sufficient discussion processes such as nationality expert meetings and forums including experts who oppose the amendment, the direction of the amendment to the Nationality Act will be decided."

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