Lawyers’ Group Calls for Dual Nationality
By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter
A lawyers’ group is calling for the government to consider dual citizenship to stop the brain drain. According to the Korean Bar Association, Korea has an exclusive nationality system, which deprives Koreans of right to take up other citizenships. This has caused trained and talented Koreans to leave Korea and has resulted in them not being able to freely visit and work in their mother country.
Regarding compulsory military service, which is the biggest obstacle in permitting dual citizenship, the lawyers' group suggested alternative duties for overseas Koreans such as public service, English teaching and working at companies designated by the government.
Also, the report pointed out the dual citizenship is in line with other countries including the United States, Switzerland, Italy, China, Spain, Russia and Australia. ``We need to forge firm ties with overseas Koreans to display the power of Korean people all around the world,'' it said.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, there are about 2.8 million Koreans who reside overseas both temporally and permanently.