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Definition of Overseas Koreans

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  3. Understanding Overseas Koreans
  4. Definition of Overseas Koreans
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Learn the definition and scope of overseas Koreans.
Definition of Overseas Koreans
General Definition
"Koreans living overseas"

Also referred to by a variety of terms, including overseas Korean residents, overseas Korean nationals, Koreans living abroad, expatriates, Korean-Americans, ethnic Koreans in China ("Joseonjok"), and ethnic Koreans in Russia ("Goryeoin").

Official Term
"Overseas Koreans" as specified by the government

Overseas Koreans Foundation Act* (Enacted on Mar. 27, 1997)

Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans** (Enacted on Sep. 2, 1999)

Scope of Overseas Koreans
Korean nationals residing abroad(emigrants/expatriates who have Korean nationality)
+
Foreign nationality Koreans(ethnic Koreans who do not have Korean nationality)
*

Article 2 of the Framework Act on Overseas Koreans

  • Persons who are a national of the Republic of Korea and stay in a foreign country for a long time or obtain permanent residency in a foreign country

  • Persons who held the nationality of the Republic of Korea by birth (including persons who emigrated before the Government of the Republic of Korea was established) or his or her lineal descendants who do not have the nationality of the Republic of Korea

**

Article 2 of the Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans and Article 3(1) and (2) of the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans

  • A national of the Republic of Korea who has acquired the right of permanent residence in a foreign country or is residing in a foreign country with a view to living there permanently (hereinafter referred to as a "Korean national residing abroad");

  • A person prescribed by Presidential Decree from among those who, having held the nationality of the Republic of Korea (including those who had emigrated abroad before the Government of the Republic of Korea was established) or as their lineal descendants, have acquired the nationality of a foreign country (hereinafter referred to as a "foreign nationality Korean").

    • A person who had held the nationality of the Republic of Korea due to birth (including those who had emigrated abroad before the Government of the Republic of Korea was established) and acquired the nationality of a foreign country;
    • A lineal descendants of the person under paragraph (1) who acquired the nationality of a foreign country.