Jun Ji-hye, a reporter at the finance desk of The Korea Times, focuses primarily on economic policy and government agencies, mainly covering the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Ministry of Budget and Planning, the National Tax Service and the Korea Customs Service. She previously covered financial authorities, including the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service, and earlier worked on the political, city and business desks, reporting on a wide range of issues.
Parties agree to boost overseas Koreans' rights
By Jun Ji-hye
The ruling and main opposition parties Tuesday agreed to carry forward
policies to boost the rights of Koreans overseas, including allowing more dual citizenships.
“We share the view that the two parties should combine forces to promote the rights of Koreans overseas. Together, we will draw up efforts to materialize various policies regarding this at the earliest possible date,” the two parties said in a joint statement.
Rep. Won Yoo-chul of the Saenuri Party and Rep. Kim Sung-gon of the Democratic United Party (DUP) disclosed the plan at a joint press conference at the National Assembly.
“More than 7.2 million overseas Koreans have contributed to developing the nation’s economy and spreading our culture. That’s why we are moving to take steps to promote their rights,” the statement said.
Their envisioned plans include increasing the number of ethnic Koreans who can with dual nationality, strengthening Hangeul (Korean alphabet) education in foreign countries and issuing residential identification cards to Koreans overseas.
The parties plan to lower the ages of those who are eligible for the dual citizenship. Under existing legislation, only those over 65 years old living abroad are allowed to hold dual nationality when they return home and live permanently here.
Regarding the reasoning to allow more dual citizens, they said, “We are aware that Korean residents abroad are valuable human resources for the nation to take steps to be a more advanced country. We hope these people will contribute to the development of their homeland.”
However, they have yet to reach agreement on details. The ruling party proposed to lower the age limit to 55, while the DUP is suggesting allowing young people to have dual citizenship as well, as long as they complete the mandatory two-year military service.
Under the military law, all able Korean men over 18 must serve in the armed forces, but those who obtain foreign nationality at birth or after emigration to other countries are exempt.
Along with the dual nationality issue, the parties will consider ways of increasing Korean schools and ways to support Hangeul education in foreign countries.
“We designed the measure to help overseas Koreans develop a proper understanding of their home country and maintain their national identity,” they said.
The Saenuri Party and the DUP also agreed to issue identification cards for Korean residents living in foreign countries in order to help make various administrative procedures here more convenient for them.
In addition, parties will intensify the diplomatic activities of lawmakers in order for overseas Koreans to acquire voting and other civil rights in the countries where they reside.
Won and Kim said the two parties will give further details of these plans at an extraordinary session of the Assembly scheduled to open next Monday.