The revised scheme is divided into three categories: The general certificate, the selective certificate and the detailed certificate. (image: Kobizmedia/Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Nov. 11 (Korea Bizwire) – Now South Koreans can be issued with documents without exposing their sensitive family relationship information such as that on children from an ex-partner or a history of divorce.
The Ministry of Justice pre-announced a revision to the Family Relationships Registration Law on November 10. The revised scheme is divided into three categories: The general certificate showing present family relationships, the selective certificate demonstrating selective relationships information, and the detailed certificate presenting all relationships including the past ones. The detailed document requires reasonable reasons for issuing.
According to the revised rule, the general document is planned to be commonly used. The selective and detailed ones are issued in an exceptional situation only.
The amended plan also includes a modified process of birth and death registration. Until now, a birth registration has been accepted if two adults prove the birth of a baby, which can be easily abused for illegal acquisition of South Korean nationality. Now a baby without a birth certificate from a hospital should be allowed by the decision of the Family Court.
In case of death registration, national agencies can now exchange information on the deceased without the family’s reporting in order to prevent crimes such as an unlawful use of ID numbers.
“We strengthened the law to protect citizens’ sensitive information including facts like being a single parent, a history of divorce or adoption,” an official of the ministry said.
By Veronica Huh (veronicah@koreabizwire.com)
