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How can I change my nationality from North Korean to South Korean?
I am a North Korean living in Japan. Now I'm hoping to change my nationality from that of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to that of the Republic of Korea. Please advise me where and what procedures I should take.
First of all, you can apply for overseas citizenship registration at the Korean Consulate General. Depending where you live, the Consulate General you should go to may differ. Overseas citizenship registration means that people who are living abroad - except in Korea - have to apply for overseas resident registration. The necessary documents are as follows: 1) an overseas citizenship registration application form (available at embassies) 2) one color head shot (photo) 3) Foreign registration card or certificate 4) the seal of your Korean name. After you have finished applying for overseas citizenship registration, please obtain the citizenship registration application certificate that you have applied for at the Korean Consulate. That's all you have to do to obtain overseas citizenship registration.
Next, you will need to change your nationality. This should be done by going to your nearest local government office and applying to change your nationality from North Korean to South Korean at the Foreign Registration section. The necessary documents you will need are your overseas citizenship registration certificate and your foreign registration card. You will need to follow another procedure to adjust your family registration at the Korean Consulate. Alhough it normally takes three months, you can obtain your South Korean family registration after the procedure is over. Then you will be able to apply for your passport at the Korean Consulate. You will need to take the following documents: your newly obtained family registration certificate, 2 color head shots (photos), your foreign registration card, and a seal of your Korean name. If you have applied for your overseas citizenship registration before 2000, please bring it with you too.
Advisor: MIYAKE Takeshi (Administrative scrivener)
