Nationality Choice Obligation & Limited Dual Nationality (복수국적)
Citizenship in South Korea
- Eligibility
- 외국국적불행사서약 (pledge not to exercise foreign nationality) — the operative dual-nationality-retention mechanism for ACQUIRERS of ROK nationality is §10(2): instead of renouncing within 1 year, the following may pledge and keep dual nationality — (1) at naturalization, a person under §6(2)1-2 (marriage spouse routes) OR §7(1)2-3 (distinguished service / excellent talent); (2) a §9-reinstated person recognized under §7(1)2-3; (3) a person adopted abroad as a minor who acquired foreign nationality and resided abroad, reinstated under §9; (4) a person reinstated under §9 who entered ROK to permanently reside after fully turning 65 (만 65세); (5) a person who cannot renounce due to foreign law, prescribed by Presidential Decree. The by-birth dual-national pledge routes instead through §13/§11-2.
- Timeline
- standard
- Renunciation
- Not required
Overview
외국국적불행사서약 (pledge not to exercise foreign nationality) — the operative dual-nationality-retention mechanism for ACQUIRERS of ROK nationality is §10(2): instead of renouncing within 1 year, the following may pledge and keep dual nationality — (1) at naturalization, a person under §6(2)1-2 (marriage spouse routes) OR §7(1)2-3 (distinguished service / excellent talent); (2) a §9-reinstated person recognized under §7(1)2-3; (3) a person adopted abroad as a minor who acquired foreign nationality and resided abroad, reinstated under §9; (4) a person reinstated under §9 who entered ROK to permanently reside after fully turning 65 (만 65세); (5) a person who cannot renounce due to foreign law, prescribed by Presidential Decree. The by-birth dual-national pledge routes instead through §13/§11-2.
Legal basis
Primary statute: 국적법 제12조 + 제10조제2항 (외국국적불행사서약). Operative 2011-01-01–present. Authority: Minister of Justice (법무부장관); Korea Immigration Service (출입국·외국인정책본부).
Example scenarios
Subject to a choice order and eventual loss
Nationality Act Art.12: choose by 22; Art.14-3 국적선택명령 if not; failure leads to loss.
Constrained by military-service timing
Nationality Act Art.12(2) + Military Service Act Art.8: choice is tied to conscription and renunciation is restricted (see the Art.14-2 exception).
Retains both nationalities
국적법 제12조 + 제10조제2항 (외국국적불행사서약): the Art.10(2) pledge lets eligible born-dual nationals avoid the choice obligation.
Informational summary compiled from primary legal sources — not legal advice. Citizenship law changes; verify with the competent authority before acting. Last verified 2026-06-22.
Track changes to this route
Descent and naturalization rules change. We'll email you in plain English when anything affecting South Korea updates — no spam.