sojusucks
Joined: 31 May 2008
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 Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 2:09 am Post subject: Becoming Korean |
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Source: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/11/117_33733.html
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In Pursuit of Korean Citizenship
More Foreign Professionals Seek to Become Korean Citizens
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Early last week, a Russian researcher took a citizenship oath: ``I swear to contribute to the nation's prosperity and development as a Korean.''
Vladimir Saveljev, 54-year-old 3D display expert, finally became Korean after passing the naturalization exam in his third attempt after two failures.
Saveljev was one of 26 people who received naturalization certificates from the Ministry of Justice last Monday.
``I felt so happy and almost felt like crying. Only the presence of the top officials from the ministry saved me ,'' Savelijev told The Korea Times.
He and the other 25 people have gained attention as many of them were highly-educated professionals in various fields.
Saveljev first came to Korea in 1999 to give a lecture on 3D display at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). Staying in Korea since 2000, he has researched 3D displays devices at KIST and Hanyang University since late 2002. He has had dozens of papers published in science journals and holds five patents regarding 3D displays.
As for his reason for seeking naturalization, Saveljev said, ``I saw perfect opportunities to conduct research, especially in my area of 3D displays. There are many globally powerful companies producing displays in Korea, so doing research in direct contact with them is very efficient and promising. I spent five years with Samsung Electronics under a government-driven research project.''
Besides Saveljev, the 25 people included a Polish physician, a Chinese researcher, a Japanese missionary, Taiwanese pharmacists, and a Chinese pianist.
The varied jobs are the result of an increasing number of naturalized Koreans ― 7,261 in 2004, 12,299 in 2005, 7,477 in 2006, and 9,915 last year, according to the ministry. The 2005 figure was unusually high as the authorities held special naturalization exams for a large number of applicants.
Those who have lived in Korea for more than five years allowed to take the test, which is open to 140 people every week. As the number of applicants rises and they have to wait for an average 18 months to take the exam, the ministry held large-scale exams this year for 6,000 people.
Those who have lived here for two years after marrying Koreans can become Korean without taking the test, with foreign spouses accounting for 60 percent of the total naturalized Koreans.
``The number of incidences of non-matrimonial naturalization is also gradually rising as a consequence of the growing number of foreigners here amid growing international exchanges,'' said a ministry official who refused to be named.
Problems accompany the increase. Some people seek naturalization after coming to the country illegally, such as via fake marriages, he noted.
``Those who do not have stable jobs sometimes fall into the low-income bracket. It makes the government spend more on social welfare costs,'' the official said.
Such problems, however, are minor, and most applicants seek naturalization out of their affection for the country, he said. ``Test-takers say they like Korea and see its growth potential.''
For Saveljev, the first thing that he wants as a Korean is ``a Korean passport and to go to a scientific conference in the U.S. visa-free.''
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Russia to Korea and then to the US to go to a science conference. Sounds nice. |
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