Korean Job Discussion Forums

ryouga013 · Joined: 14 Sep 2007

Why would you want to be anything other than Korean? Showing your desire to be something other than Korean means you're already less than pure, so you should get the hell out - a nationalistic Korean's thoughts on dual citizenship

Geckoman · Joined: 07 Jun 2007

This reminds me of how Koreans have been rushing to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) -- of which the largest island is Saipan -- to give birth so that their new born baby will have American citizenship. It has been going on for years and has created a whole industry in those two American territories.

See: http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=97500&highlight=

Cool

Scotticus · Joined: 18 Mar 2007

skdragon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003

Rob'sdad · Joined: 12 May 2008 Location: Seoul

In Germany, you had to choose by your 18th birthday. If you selected German citizenship then you could be drafted into the Bundeswehr.

But unlike Korea, Germans could choose to work in the Red Cross or the local (dorf) volunteer fire department. In our small town, training consisted of learning about some hazardous chemicals and then ingesting beer until closing.

If you have an Irish grandparent you can qualify for Irish citizenship. Great grandparents....no

Hanson · Joined: 20 Oct 2004

Unposter · Joined: 04 Jun 2006

Obviously, the reason why South Korea does not allow dual citizenship is because every Korean who could afford a plane ticket to Guam would have dual citizenship and try to avoid the draft.

I heard that until 1986 when Kim Youngsam became President, Koreans could not travel abroad (for any reason) without government aproval. Basically, only essential government and business related travel was allowed. I guess they wanted to keep the rats from jumping ship.

Korea really needs to end compulsary military service. It creates more problems than it solves. One of these problems is dual citizenship.

I truly hope that this law changes before my kids are 18. It would really make me sad if my kids would have to turn their back on part of their heritage over something like this.

Minimumly, Korea really should offer special dual citizenship for the children of international marriages. But, I guess it is hard to find National Assembly Members to really care, much less make the effort to submit such legislation.

Thiuda · Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 6:18 am Post subject:

Thiuda · Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 6:21 am Post subject:

Chris_Dixon · Joined: 09 Jan 2008

poohbear · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Location: toronto for now

well i think it has to do w/ perception of what IS a korean and what is an american, and it is a touchy subject.

For immigrant countries (canada & US and to a lesser extent australia), what it means to be Canadian & American changes from generation to generation. Whereas in alot of the non immigrant countries like Korea/France/Germany what it means to be Korean/French/German has been etched in stone for centuries. In the 40's you'd be hard pressed to tell a white guy that blacks were equal Americans, but today blacks are seen as part of american culture. same w/ indian/asian/hispanic americans. They 'd all be considered americans today in most of the US, but 40 years ago very doubtful, regardless of their citizenship. Heck even caucasion italians were looked down upon when they first arrived in the US in the 20's, but today nobody would question how american a 3rd generation italian american would be.

Just because france/germany allow dual citizenship doesnt mean they consider you french/german. Tell that to the descendant of algerian/african immigrants in France or Turkish immigrants in Germany. When my friend was studying french in paris (from canada) they told his group of friends that the black guy with them couldnt enter the night club because he was "too black". My friend snapped and ended up arguing w/ the bouncers, but it just was'nt gonna happen even though the black guy in the group was born and raised in france and had french citizenship. This was in Paris, not some backwoods part of France.

marlow · Joined: 06 Feb 2005

Having second citizenship would not exclude being in the army. You'd have to follow two countries' rules, and still have to do the service. It's not an issue for females anyway.

Plus, Koreans can't just pick up citizenships at the local supermarket. So, allowing dual citizenship is not going to set off a shopping spree. As well, I think those who wanted to be a citizen elsewhere have probably done so.

Personally, I think their law is dumb. My sons don't have dual citizenship because I think Korea's "decide on one when you are eighteen" policy is stupid. I'd rather give them just Canadian and have them not have to bother with renouncing anything.