Renunciation — Exceptional Permission (post-deadline, 2022 reform)
Citizenship in South Korea
- Eligibility
- EXCEPTIONAL renunciation permission (예외적 국적이탈 허가 / 대한민국 국적의 이탈에 관한 특례, current §14-2): a male dual national who (i) was born abroad OR emigrated abroad before age 6 AND continuously kept his main basis of life (주된 생활의 근거) abroad, and (ii) failed to file a §14 renunciation within 3 months of 병역준비역 편입 for a JUSTIFIABLE cause (정당한 사유), MAY apply to the Minister of Justice for exceptional permission to renounce ROK nationality post-deadline. The Minister decides considering birthplace, how dual nationality arose, and fairness of military-service performance, on advice of the 국적심의위원회. This provision is NEW (inserted by Act No. 18978, eff. 2022-10-01) and is the direct legislative remedy to the 2016헌마889 헌법불합치 decision.
- Timeline
- standard
- Renunciation
- Not required
Overview
EXCEPTIONAL renunciation permission (예외적 국적이탈 허가 / 대한민국 국적의 이탈에 관한 특례, current §14-2): a male dual national who (i) was born abroad OR emigrated abroad before age 6 AND continuously kept his main basis of life (주된 생활의 근거) abroad, and (ii) failed to file a §14 renunciation within 3 months of 병역준비역 편입 for a JUSTIFIABLE cause (정당한 사유), MAY apply to the Minister of Justice for exceptional permission to renounce ROK nationality post-deadline. The Minister decides considering birthplace, how dual nationality arose, and fairness of military-service performance, on advice of the 국적심의위원회. This provision is NEW (inserted by Act No. 18978, eff. 2022-10-01) and is the direct legislative remedy to the 2016헌마889 헌법불합치 decision.
How to apply
- NATIONALITY DELIBERATION COMMITTEE (국적심의위원회, 국적법 제22조 — STATUTORY body since Act 18978, 신설 2022-09-15; previously a 시행령 creature). Established under the Minister of Justice to DELIBERATE on: (1) 우수인재 special naturalization (§7(1)3); (2) exceptional renunciation permission (§14의2); (3) loss determination (§14의4); (4) other nationality matters the Minister refers. The Minister MUST pass these through the committee BEFORE the relevant permission/decision (§22(2)), except where requirements are plainly unmet (per Decree). Committee composition/operation: §23 (chair=Vice-Minister of Justice, ≤30 members, 2-yr terms).
Legal basis
Primary statute: 국적법 제14조의2. Operative 2022-10-01–present. Authority: Minister of Justice (법무부장관); Korea Immigration Service (출입국·외국인정책본부).
Example scenarios
May apply for EXCEPTIONAL renunciation permission
Nationality Act Art.14-2 (new 2022, the 2016Hun-Ma889 remedy): born abroad / emigrated before 6 + life-base abroad + justifiable reason; the Minister weighs 6 factors; Art.22 committee deliberation.
Loses ROK nationality on acceptance
국적법 제14조의2 governs voluntary renunciation for those domiciled abroad.
May reacquire by report
Reacquisition (Art.11) follows loss under Art.10(3).
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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