Seoul (AsiaNews) – The South Korean government should offer dual citizenship to South Koreans living abroad to help prop up the country's declining population, this according to a senior official with the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA).
In making the proposal today, OKA Vice Commissioner Kim Min-cheol urged the government to consider those who have decided to expatriate and live abroad as strategic partners rather than subjects of regulatory control.
“Considering our current demographic challenges, (South) Korea should allow dual citizenship for Korean diasporas, who share Korea’s historical and cultural identity, for a better future for the country,” he said during a press briefing.
“In line with global standards, the basic philosophy of the OKA is clear; Korea must proactively embrace the diaspora of 8 million, recognizing them as both citizens and strategic partners of Korea,” he noted. “It is time for Korea to redefine what nationality means,” he added.
In this regard, OKA Vice Commissioner cited Japan as an example to learn from, warning that South Korea risks repeating its neighbour's prolonged economic stagnation if its population continues to decline.
To address the issue of overseas Koreans, Kim called for a radical change in approach, arguing that past policies treated returning Koreans, particularly those from China, as subjects to be controlled rather than as potential contributors.
In particular, "Embracing them and fostering their integration as contributing members of society will be pivotal in easing social tensions," he said.
According to the Ministry of Data and Statistics, South Korea's population peaked at 51.83 million in 2020, before beginning a downward trend driven by low fertility rates and natural population decline.
The influx of ethnic Koreans and foreign nationals has helped slow this trend, but the figure is still projected to decline to 50.7 million by 2036.
The overseas Korean population – i.e. people of Korean descent or Korean citizenship living abroad – was estimated to be around seven million in 2025, with around 4.6 million, or 66 per cent, holding foreign citizenship with the other 2.4 million held South Korean citizenship.
Regarding mandatory military service, a politically sensitive issue, Kim stated that the age threshold for dual citizenship should be removed or abolished for those who have already met their military obligations or have no remaining obligations.
At the same time, he called for expanding alternative military service options for those born outside Korea and holding dual citizenship at birth, allowing them, for example, to serve the country at embassies or facilities abroad.
Kim outlined several OKA initiatives planned for the second half of this year. In particular, the agency is organising an event called “Korean Week”, as a community celebration and an opportunity to promote the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector.
“While the precise economic impact remains to be calculated, the estimated MICE effect of establishing a ‘Koreans Week’, inviting overseas Koreans to their home country, is highly promising, based on visitor numbers of similar events.”
In fact, “The World Korean Business Convention attracts between 3,000 and 10,000 attendees, with the event in Jeonju, Jeolla Province drawing some 60,000 visitors."
Finally, OKA is planning to establish a support hub for start-ups by overseas Koreans or those looking to expand their businesses abroad by leveraging the agency's global network.
(Photo credit: OKA)
