A shortage of military resources is expected to become more acute in the future, necessitating significant measures to bolster these resources. (image: Kookbang Ilbo)
SEOUL, Oct. 16 (Korea Bizwire) – According to a recent report, over the last five years, more than 20,000 men have relinquished their South Korean citizenship. This information is based on data provided by the Military Manpower Administration to the National Assembly, which is currently conducting a national security audit.
The data reveals that between 2019 and August of this year, a total of 19,818 men falling within the 18 to 40 age group, who are subject to military service, opted to renounce their South Korean nationality. The release of this data occurred last Friday and was facilitated by Hwang Hee, a lawmaker from the opposition Democratic Party of Korea.
Of those who renounced their Korean citizenship, 14,570 individuals (73.5 percent) did so after acquiring a foreign nationality through extended stays abroad, such as studying overseas. Another 5,248 (26.5 percent) made this decision by virtue of their dual citizenship status at birth.
The United States was the most common nationality that individuals adopted after renouncing their Korean citizenship, accounting for 55.6 percent (80,096). Other nationalities chosen included Japan (16.5 percent, 2,407), Canada (13.6 percent, 1,984), Australia (5.9 percent, 859), and New Zealand (3.3 percent, 481).
Hwang emphasized the importance of addressing cases where individuals renounce their Korean nationality to evade military service. He also suggested that support measures should be explored to encourage dual citizens to fulfill their military obligations.
Furthermore, another lawmaker, Sung Il-jong of the ruling People Power Party, attracted attention for proposing the introduction of a foreign conscription system during a national audit of the Military Manpower Administration.
He argued that physically fit and young foreigners could serve in the South Korean armed forces if they pass a Korean language test and then be granted citizenship.
As of the end of last year, the Korean Armed Forces’ standing capacity reached 480,000, just shy of the 500,000 mark. A shortage of military resources is expected to become more acute in the future, necessitating significant measures to bolster these resources.
Sung cited the example of the U.S. military’s Master Alien Vocational Recruitment Program (MAVNI), which grants citizenship to foreigners who serve in the military.
He argued that, given the higher salary for domestic soldiers compared to foreign soldiers, recruiting foreigners would not pose a major challenge and could instill a sense of loyalty among them through military service.
Ki-sik Lee, Commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration, acknowledged that such a system could have both positive and negative impacts on South Korea’s military combat capabilities. He also noted that the United States, as a multicultural country, has embraced such a system, while South Korea has yet to fully embrace multiculturalism.
Therefore, further examination and coordination with the Department of Justice and immigration policy would be necessary if the adoption of such a system is deemed appropriate.
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
