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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Persons with Korean nationality who have acquired the right of permanent residence in a foreign country or residing in a foreign country with a view to living there permanently (Korean nationals residing abroad)
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Persons who fall under any of the followings, having held Korean nationality (including those who had emigrated abroad before the establishment of the Republic of Korea) or as their lineal descendants, have acquired the nationality of a foreign country (foreign nationality Koreans)
- Persons who have held Korean nationality (including those who had emigrated abroad before the establishment of the Republic of Korea) and have acquired the nationality of a foreign country
- Persons who are lineal descendants of persons falling under subparagraph 1 and have acquired the nationality of a foreign country
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