Sakhalin Koreans Permanent-Return Support (국적회복 pathway)
Citizenship in South Korea
- Eligibility
- SAKHALIN KOREANS special support (사할린동포 지원에 관한 특별법): '사할린동포' = ethnic Koreans (한인) born in or who migrated to Sakhalin by 1945-08-15 (liberation). The Act provides 영주귀국 (permanent return) and settlement support (travel, initial settlement, housing) for Sakhalin Koreans and defined accompanying family. It is a SUPPORT/repatriation statute — it does NOT itself confer ROK nationality; Sakhalin returnees who are former/ethnic Koreans typically regain ROK status via 국적회복 (reinstatement, §9) under the Nationality Act.
- Timeline
- standard
- Renunciation
- Not required
Overview
SAKHALIN KOREANS special support (사할린동포 지원에 관한 특별법): '사할린동포' = ethnic Koreans (한인) born in or who migrated to Sakhalin by 1945-08-15 (liberation). The Act provides 영주귀국 (permanent return) and settlement support (travel, initial settlement, housing) for Sakhalin Koreans and defined accompanying family. It is a SUPPORT/repatriation statute — it does NOT itself confer ROK nationality; Sakhalin returnees who are former/ethnic Koreans typically regain ROK status via 국적회복 (reinstatement, §9) under the Nationality Act.
Legal basis
Primary statute: 사할린동포 지원에 관한 특별법 + 국적법 제9조. Operative 2021-01-01–present. Authority: Minister of Justice (법무부장관); Korea Immigration Service (출입국·외국인정책본부).
Example scenarios
Supported for permanent return; regains status via restoration
Sakhalin Koreans Support Special Act + Nationality Act Art.9: a support statute for return/settlement; ROK status is regained via 국적회복.
Status depends on lineage / may use determination or restoration
Historical/diaspora status is assessed via Art.20 determination or Art.9 restoration; constitutional Art.3 doctrine governs the NK case.
Still recognised as an ROK national
96Nu1221: a foreign travel document does not establish loss of ROK nationality.
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
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