Residency Rights for Foreign-Born Nationals

Foreign-born residents of South Korea will soon be allowed to use the public properties and facilities of the localities in which they reside, as well as administrative services.

On March 6, the government delivered work manuals that stipulate that foreigners living in the nation are to be approved as “residents” under local legislation to nationwide local offices. The current locality and identity registration laws say, “For foreigners who have completed alien registrations and then stay more than 90 days in South Korea, residential rights shall be granted.”

In accordance with Korea’s “standard ordinances supporting foreign-born residents” created by the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs, local governments have already begun revising related laws. Of Korea’s 252 localities, eight cities and provinces, including North Jeolla Province and Suncheon in South Jeolla Province have rectified their laws.

One official from the ministry said, “We have a plan to provide alien residents the right to apply for ordinance alteration and abolitions, resident audits, and resident lawsuits. However, considering international conventions, local election and inhabitants’ voting rights will not be given to foreign-born residents.

With all these rights, they will also be liable to taxation.

kimkihy@donga.com