Suggested citations
AGLC4 | 국적법 1999 [Citizenship Law of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (1999)] [tr Daye Gang].
Bluebook | Gukjeokbeob 1999 [Citizenship Law of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (1999)] translated in Law and North Korea by Daye Gang, https://www.lawandnorthkorea.com/.
Adopted on October 9, Juche 52 (1963), as Directive No. 242 of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly
Amended and supplemented on March 23, Juche 84 (1995), as Decision No. 57 of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly
Amended on February 26, Juche 88 (1999), as Directive No. 483 of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly
Article 1 (Objectives of Citizenship Law)
The Citizenship Law of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea shall determine the conditions of becoming a citizen of the Republic, and shall serve to defend and assure their independent rights.
Article 2 (Qualifications of citizens)
Citizens of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are as follows.
1. People of Choson and their children who possessed the citizenship of Choson before the establishment of the Republic and did not abandon that citizenship
2. People who acquired citizenship of the Republic through a legal process who used to be citizens of other countries or stateless
Article 3 (Principle of protecting citizens)
Citizens of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea shall receive the legal protection of the Republic regardless of domicile or temporary place of residence.
Article 4 (Principle of freedom to return home or come and go)
Citizens of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea residing in other countries may return home or freely come and go.
Article 5 (Acquisition of citizenship according to birth)
People who fit the following shall acquire citizenship of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea based on birth.
1. Those born between citizens of the Republic
2. Those born between a citizen of the Republic residing in the territory of the Republic and a citizen of another country or stateless person
3. Those born between stateless persons who reside within the territory of the Republic
4. Those born within the territory of the Republic but whose parents are not confirmed
Article 6 (Acquisition of citizenship according to petition)
Stateless persons or citizens of other countries may acquire citizenship of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea upon a petition.
Article 7 (Citizenship of those born between overseas citizens and foreigners)
The citizenship of those born between a citizen of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea residing in other countries and a citizen of another country shall be determined in the following way.
1. The citizenship of a person who has not reached the age of 14 years shall be determined according to the wishes of the parents, and in cases where there are no parents, it shall be determined according to the wishes of the guardian. In these cases, if there is no expression of wishes by three months after the birth, he or she shall have citizenship of the Republic.
2. The citizenship of a minor over the age of 14 years shall be determined according to the wishes of the parents and the consent of the person himself or herself, and in cases where there are no parents, it shall be determined upon the wishes of the guardian and the consent of the person himself or herself. In these cases, if the wishes of the person himself or herself are different from the wishes of the parents or the wishes of the guardian, it shall be determined according to the wishes of the person himself or herself.
3. The citizenship of an adult shall be determined according to the wishes of the person himself or herself.
Article 8 (Application to obtain citizenship of the Republic for a person born between an overseas citizen and a foreigner)
In cases where the citizenship of children born between a citizen of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea residing in other countries and a citizen of another country is sought to be determined as citizenship of the Republic, the relevant documents must be submitted to the diplomatic or consular institution of the Republic stationed in the country of residence of the parents or children. In cases where there is no diplomatic or consular institution of the Republic, the documents must be submitted to a diplomatic or consular representative institution of the Republic stationed in a nearby country or to the relevant institution of the country of residence.
Article 9 (Children’s citizenship following parents’ change of citizenship)
In cases where parents take up citizenship of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea or are expelled from it, children’s citizenship shall be changed according to the following.
1. The citizenship of children who have not reached the age of 14 years shall change according to the parents’ citizenship.
2. The citizenship of children who are over the age of 14 years but have not reached the age of 16 years may only be changed upon the wishes of the parents and the consent of the person himself or herself. In cases where the wishes of the parent do not exist or are different from the wishes of the person himself or herself, the wishes of the person himself or herself shall be followed.
Article 10 (Change in citizenship of one parent and citizenship of children)
Of parents who have citizenship of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, children’s citizenship does not change even if the citizenship of one parent changes.
Article 11 (Marriage, divorce and adoption, dissolution of adoption and citizenship)
Citizenship of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea does not change depending upon marriage, divorce, adoption, or dissolution of adoption.
Article 12 (Recovery of citizenship)
A person who has lost citizenship of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea may recover citizenship of the Republic with a petition.
Article 13 (Status and rights of a person who has been stripped of citizenship)
A person who has been stripped of citizenship of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea loses the legal status and rights of a citizen of the Republic from the day that decision is made.
Article 14 (Citizenship affairs institution)
The practical work related to citizenship in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea shall be done by the citizen registration institution. Outside the territory of the Republic, it shall be done by the diplomatic or consular institution of the Republic stationed in the relevant country.
Article 15 (Decisionmaking institution of petitions to obtain or be stripped of citizenship)
Decisions for petitions to obtain citizenship of the Republic or be stripped from citizenship of the Republic shall be done by the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly.
Article 16 (Legal effect of treaties related to citizenship)
In cases where treaties concluded with other countries related to citizenship of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea determine differently to the content of this law, that treaty shall be followed.
Last updated 4 June 2021