Renouncing Korean nationality (dual-national son, military service)
This page is machine translated from Ieumi's guide written in Korean. If the meaning is confusing, please look at the Korean original text. View original text (Korean)
A son with dual nationality must file to renounce Korean nationality by March 31 of the year he turns 18.
📌 Key points
The deadline is March 31 of the year he turns 18 — not his birthday. After that date, renunciation is only possible after completing military service.
📍 Where to go
Korean embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over the child's residence
⚠️ Things to watch out for
Renunciation requires a residence (life base) abroad and is filed at the Korean embassy or consulate where the child lives. For a child raised in Korea, renunciation is generally not possible — choosing nationality (keeping both via a pledge not to exercise the foreign one) is the realistic path. Nationality choice (by age 22) and renunciation (March 31 of the year he turns 18) are different procedures.
❗ What happens if you don't
This cannot be undone
Once the deadline passes, Korean nationality cannot be renounced until military service obligations are resolved.
If it is already late
If you have missed the deadline, you can renounce after your military service duty is resolved. Article 12(3) of the Nationality Act lists the cases of having completed service, having been assigned to wartime labor service, or having received an exemption from military service. Until then you will keep your Korean nationality — please check with the Military Manpower Administration (1588-9090) and 1345 whether there is any disadvantage in the meantime.
What to bring
See also
Basis
- https://nationalityact.com/nationality-renunciation-missed-deadline-remedy/
- https://www.koreadaily.com/article/20260513000348595 (2026-05-13 기사)
- 국적법 시행규칙 제12조(국적이탈 신고서의 서식 및 첨부서류) 제2항 (법제처 국가법령정보센터 — 현행 시행 2026-10-02 판으로 2026-10-05 대조 · 이 조문은 그 개정에 안 걸림(2026-10-02 개정은 별지 서식 문구뿐))
This content was checked on 2026-10-03.