China/Republic of Korea: Whether the Republic of Korea and China recognize dual nationality between their countries
| Publisher | Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 15 November 2002 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ZZZ39973.E |
| Reference | 5 |
| Cite as | Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, China/Republic of Korea: Whether the Republic of Korea and China recognize dual nationality between their countries, 15 November 2002, ZZZ39973.E, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4e432a.html [accessed 25 May 2013] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The information that follows was provided by a consular official at the Embassy of the People's Republic of China during a 12 November 2002 telephone interview.
China does not allow dual nationality. If a person acquires the nationality of another country, he or she is considered by the Chinese authorities to have automatically lost Chinese nationality. If a Korean wishes to obtain Chinese nationality, he or she must first renounce his or her Korean nationality and provide proof of this to the Chinese authorities. Acquisition, renunciation or recovery of Chinese nationality can be requested or processed through Chinese consulates or embassies outside China or, inside China, through the Public Security Ministry.
The information that follows was provided by a representative at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Ottawa during an 8 November 2002 telephone interview.
It is not possible for adult Koreans to hold dual nationality, regardless of the country for which the issue is raised. Up to the age of 18, it is possible for a person holding Korean nationality to hold another nationality, but upon reaching 18 years of age, the person must decide which nationality he or she wants to keep. The representative added that there may have been some cases of adults who have held both Chinese and Korean nationality, but it is not recent nor current practice to allow dual nationality.
A publication from the United States Defense Personnel Security Research Center provides the following information on loss of Chinese citizenship:
DUAL CITIZENSHIP: NOT RECOGNIZED.
LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP:
VOLUNTARY: Voluntary renunciation of PRC citizenship is technically permitted by law, upon fulfillment of at least one of certain requirements. The requirements are:
– Person is a near relative of a foreign national.
– Person has already settled abroad.
– Person has other legitimate reasons.
State functionaries and military personnel are not permitted to renounce PRC citizenship (16 Apr. 2002).
More recently, the Manchester Guardian Weekly reported on the case of the wife of a dissident, stating "
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Manchester Guardian Weekly. 4 September 2002. Stephen Moss. "Terror in China." (NEXIS)
People's Republic of China. Embassy of the People's Republic of China, Ottawa. 12 November 2002. Telephone interview with consular staff.
Republic of Korea. Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Ottawa. 8 November 2002. Telephone interview with representative.
United States of America. Defense Personnel Security Research Center (DPSRC), San Francisco. 16 April 2002. "China."
