Hwang Woo-suk, a former professor at Seoul National University who lost his South Korean nationality after acquiring UAE citizenship, has applied to the Ministry of Justice to restore his Korean citizenship. This move is seen as an attempt to maintain dual nationality, which is permitted for overseas Koreans aged 65 and older.
In an exclusive interview with Asia Economy on November 10, Hwang stated, "I have applied for the restoration of my Korean citizenship and am awaiting the Ministry of Justice's review results." He explained that he reported his loss of Korean nationality to the local Korean embassy on the same day he received UAE citizenship and subsequently filed for restoration following the embassy's guidance.
The fact that Hwang lost his Korean nationality was previously announced in the official gazette. The Cheongju Immigration and Foreign Affairs Office reported on August 13 that Hwang acquired UAE citizenship on April 9 of this year, resulting in the loss of his Korean nationality. According to Article 15 of the Nationality Act, a South Korean citizen loses their nationality upon voluntarily acquiring foreign citizenship. This led to interpretations that Hwang had renounced his Korean nationality to naturalize in the UAE; however, he maintains that he is in the process of restoring his citizenship.
Under Article 9 of the Nationality Act, a foreign national who was once a South Korean citizen can regain their nationality with the approval of the Minister of Justice. While South Korea generally does not recognize dual nationality, Article 10, Section 2 provides exceptions for overseas Koreans who receive restoration approval after the age of 65. These individuals can retain dual nationality if they pledge not to exercise their foreign nationality within South Korea. Born in 1953, Hwang meets the age requirement, but the final decision rests with the Ministry of Justice.
Hwang also mentioned this aspect, stating, "South Korea allows dual nationality for overseas Koreans over 65, but it ultimately depends on the Ministry of Justice's judgment," as he awaits the outcome.
He revealed the circumstances surrounding his acquisition of UAE nationality, saying, "I was contacted for a cup of tea, and it turned out to be a surprise ceremony for granting me citizenship," adding that there was no separate application or face-to-face interview. During the ceremony, the host announced that while the UAE generally does not permit dual nationality, an exception was made for him regarding his Korean nationality. Hwang has reportedly received support from Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Vice President and Prime Minister.
The UAE is known for its limited immigration policies, requiring recommendations from rulers, crown princes, or government agencies to obtain citizenship. Since 2021, the country has allowed limited naturalization for scientists, doctors, and investors.
Hwang currently serves as the CEO of UAE Biotech, a biotechnology research institute in Abu Dhabi, where he is involved in animal cloning and stem cell research. In a video posted on the institute's social media in August, he stated, "My vision is for the UAE to become a leading hub for biotech advancement."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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