Koreans with dual citizenships may now have to renounce them to work in the courts or prosecution, according to a legal revision by the Justice Ministry released to the media on Wednesday.

The revision states that a dual citizenship is a reason for automatic disqualification from becoming a judge or prosecutor, citing national security and conflicting interests.

The ministry said that the laws were revised to comply with the new nationality law. Under the new nationality law, those who pledge not to exercise their foreign nationality will be treated as only Korean. The law also calls for dual citizenship holders to give up foreign nationalities to be employed in jobs that bar foreign nationals, such as sensitive government positions.

“It is inappropriate for those foreign citizenship holders to serve as such high-profile government officials here, as their duties are often related to national security and state secrets where our national interests could conflict with those of foreign countries,” a ministry official said.

Dual citizenship has been a source of controversy as many lawmakers are concerned that it may lead to a “brain drain” in which gifted Koreans flock to other countries.

Others believe that it is used for evasion of mandatory military service or preferential university admission.

The new nationality law, which took effect Jan. 1, allows dual nationality for highly qualified foreign human resources, foreigners who married Koreans and live in Korea, those adopted by foreigners as minors, and 65-year-old or older ethnic Koreans who immigrated to Korea for good.

The law also enables those endowed with innate dual nationality to maintain it if they pledge not to exercise their foreign nationality.

By Robert Lee (robert@heraldcorp.com)