Simplified/Facilitated Naturalization (간이귀화 — Korean-connection)
Citizenship in South Korea
- Eligibility
- Facilitated/simplified naturalization (간이귀화) via Korean-connection categories: an alien with a 주소 (domicile) in the ROK for at least THREE consecutive years may naturalize WITHOUT meeting 제5조제1호 (5-year domicile) and 제5조제1호의2 (영주자격/PR prerequisite), if they fall into one of three 제6조제1항 categories: (1) a person whose father or mother WAS a Korean national ('부 또는 모가 대한민국의 국민이었던 사람'); (2) a person born in the ROK whose father or mother was also born in the ROK; (3) a person adopted by a Korean national who was an adult under the Civil Act at the time of adoption. The OTHER 제5조 requirements (adult, good conduct, livelihood, basic knowledge, ministerial acknowledgment) STILL APPLY.
- Timeline
- standard
- Renunciation
- Required
Overview
Facilitated/simplified naturalization (간이귀화) via Korean-connection categories: an alien with a 주소 (domicile) in the ROK for at least THREE consecutive years may naturalize WITHOUT meeting 제5조제1호 (5-year domicile) and 제5조제1호의2 (영주자격/PR prerequisite), if they fall into one of three 제6조제1항 categories: (1) a person whose father or mother WAS a Korean national ('부 또는 모가 대한민국의 국민이었던 사람'); (2) a person born in the ROK whose father or mother was also born in the ROK; (3) a person adopted by a Korean national who was an adult under the Civil Act at the time of adoption. The OTHER 제5조 requirements (adult, good conduct, livelihood, basic knowledge, ministerial acknowledgment) STILL APPLY.
Who qualifies
- Facilitated/simplified naturalization (간이귀화) via Korean-connection categories: an alien with a 주소 (domicile) in the ROK for at least THREE consecutive years may naturalize WITHOUT meeting 제5조제1호 (5-year domicile) and 제5조제1호의2 (영주자격/PR prerequisite), if they fall into one of three 제6조제1항 categories: (1) a person whose father or mother WAS a Korean national ('부 또는 모가 대한민국의 국민이었던 사람'); (2) a person born in the ROK whose father or mother was also born in the ROK; (3) a person adopted by a Korean national who was an adult under the Civil Act at the time of adoption. The OTHER 제5조 requirements (adult, good conduct, livelihood, basic knowledge, ministerial acknowledgment) STILL APPLY.
Legal basis
Primary statute: 국적법 제6조제1항. Operative 1948-12-20–present. Authority: Minister of Justice (법무부장관); Korea Immigration Service (출입국·외국인정책본부).
Example scenarios
ELIGIBLE for simplified naturalization
Nationality Act Art.6(1): the 3-year domicile category waives Art.5(1)/(1-2) for Korean-connection applicants.
Discretionary - good-conduct/livelihood scrutiny
국적법 제6조제1항 good-conduct and livelihood requirements are assessed by the Minister; unresolved liabilities can defeat the application.
ELIGIBLE if other {st} conditions met
KIIP completion can satisfy the basic-knowledge element under 국적법 제6조제1항.
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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