Hwang Woo-suk Reportedly Applies to Restore South Korean Nationality

Hwang Woo-suk South Korean nationality restoration application, Digi Mart USA News (South Korea): Former Seoul National University professor Hwang Woo-suk, whose loss of South Korean nationality became known after he acquired citizenship in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has reportedly applied to restore his Korean nationality at the Korean Embassy.

According to a report by The Asia Business Daily on the 10th, Hwang reported his loss of South Korean nationality to the Korean Embassy in the UAE on the day he was granted UAE citizenship. He later applied to restore his Korean nationality following the embassy’s guidance.

The Cheongju Immigration Office included a person named “Hwang Woo-suk,” born in 1953 and from Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province, on the list of people who lost South Korean nationality announced on Aug. 13. The date of loss recorded on the list is Apr. 9 this year, and the reason listed is acquisition of UAE citizenship.

Article 15 of the Nationality Act stipulates that a South Korean national loses South Korean nationality upon acquiring a foreign nationality.

However, under Article 9 of the Nationality Act, overseas Koreans who meet certain requirements, such as being 65 or older, may retain dual nationality after pledging not to exercise their foreign nationality. In line with this, Hwang appears to have applied to restore his Korean nationality as guided by the embassy.

According to the report, Hwang described how he came to acquire UAE citizenship. “The UAE seems to have no procedures such as a citizenship application or an in-person review,” he said, adding, “I got a call to come by for tea, and when I visited, it turned out to be a surprise ceremony to grant me citizenship.”

He added, “In principle, the UAE does not allow dual nationality, but they announced that, as an exception, they would allow me dual nationality limited to South Korean and UAE citizenship,” and, “South Korea allows dual nationality for overseas Koreans aged 65 and older, but that depends on the judgment of the Ministry of Justice.”

Hwang is currently serving as CEO of the UAE Biotech research institute in Abu Dhabi, UAE.