Definition of Overseas Koreans
- General Definition
- "Koreans living overseas"
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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
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Overseas Koreans Foundation Act* (Enacted on Mar. 27, 1997)
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Act on the Immigration and Legal Status of Overseas Koreans** (Enacted on Sep. 2, 1999)
Scope of Overseas Koreans
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Article 2 of the Overseas Koreans Foundation Act
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Persons with Korean nationality, staying in a foreign country for a long time or having obtained permanent residency in a foreign country
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Persons of Korean lineage regardless of their nationality who reside and live in a foreign country
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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
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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");
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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.
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