By Lee Tae-hoon
Staff Reporter
The government plans to prevent so-called "anchor babies" from receiving dual citizenship. The term refers to babies, whose mothers deliberately give birth in a country offering birthright citizenship ― typically the United States ― before returning to raise their children in Korea.
The Cabinet endorsed the measure as part of programs to introduce multiple citizenships in the country, during a meeting Tuesday, presided over by Prime Minister Chung Un-chan. The plan is subject to National Assembly approval.
The number of late-term pregnant Korean women traveling to the United States and Canada has recently increased, according to Cha Gyu-geun, chief of the Ministry of Justice's Nationality and Refugee Division.
Cha said the measure will prevent people who have received birthright citizenships of convenience from obtaining dual citizenship, if their parents made a maternity trip to give them this advantage.
On Nov. 13, the ministry made public a draft bill that would permit multiple citizenships to those who acquire foreign nationality by virtue of their place of birth.
Unlike the ministry's original plan, the Cabinet also decided to limit dual citizenship to foreign residents born and having lived here for more than 20 years.
The ministry had initially planned to permit dual citizenship to them, mainly because some 20,000 Chinese living in Korea for several generations have refused to naturalize to keep relations with their ancestral homeland.
The official said the change was made due to the criticism that under the current law, foreigners who decide to naturalize here are not obliged to serve in the military.
On the other hand, the government decided to add Koreans, who have gained foreign nationality through marriage or adoption, to the list of people who are eligible for dual citizenship.
"The ministry will grant them dual citizenship because the original plan already calls for granting dual citizenship to foreigners who have been adopted in Korea or married a Korean," Cha said
Under the measure, dual citizenship will be allowed for Koreans who meet certain conditions, upon the submission of a document pledging loyalty to Korea, and vowing not to exercise their rights as a foreign national while staying here. Males will also have to pledge to fulfill mandatory military service.
leeth@koreatimes.co.kr
What Is an Anchor Baby?
The derogatory term "anchor baby" is used to describe a child born in countries allowing birthright citizenship ― for Korean mothers usually the United States or Canada ― to non-citizens, regardless of the parents' immigration status. It refers to the role of the child, as a citizen of that country to facilitate immigration through family reunification. For wealthier Koreans, it is often used as a method to allow their sons to avoid mandatory military service here, as well as to gain access to what are perceived as better educational opportunities in their country of birth.
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