Korean Dual Citizen

ep123

New Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2022
Messages
3
Hello,
I just recently got my appointment to USAFA! The one thing that is holding me back right now is my dual citizenship. As a dual citizen of Korea and the US, I need to serve in the Korean military to maintain my dual citizenship as they have a mandatory conscription. Is there any way that I can take a gap year while at USAFA to fulfill my duties? I've asked Team Silver and am waiting for a response but I wanted to know if anyone has heard or seen of cases where other cadets have done this.
 

cluelesscandidateparents

Proud Parents of USNA and USAFA Candidate
Joined
Jan 14, 2022
Messages
592
Hello,
I just recently got my appointment to USAFA! The one thing that is holding me back right now is my dual citizenship. As a dual citizen of Korea and the US, I need to serve in the Korean military to maintain my dual citizenship as they have a mandatory conscription. Is there any way that I can take a gap year while at USAFA to fulfill my duties? I've asked Team Silver and am waiting for a response but I wanted to know if anyone has heard or seen of cases where other cadets have done this.
As far as i know u cant serve in the military in two countries.
 

shiner

USAFA Grad, Faculty 3yrs, ALO 7yrs
10-Year Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2010
Messages
1,169
Hello,
I just recently got my appointment to USAFA! The one thing that is holding me back right now is my dual citizenship. As a dual citizen of Korea and the US, I need to serve in the Korean military to maintain my dual citizenship as they have a mandatory conscription. Is there any way that I can take a gap year while at USAFA to fulfill my duties? I've asked Team Silver and am waiting for a response but I wanted to know if anyone has heard or seen of cases where other cadets have done this.
As far as I know, due to national security concerns, officers in the US Armed Forces cannot be dual citizens and would need to renounce their citizenship in the foreign country to receive a commission and/or security clearance.

Excited to hear what others can share on the subject. I am sure this one is clouded in rumor, bad info, and actual DoD regulation. The admissions team will share the actual policy with you. Best of luck in your endeavor.
 
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cluelesscandidateparents

Proud Parents of USNA and USAFA Candidate
Joined
Jan 14, 2022
Messages
592
As far as I know, due to national security concerns, officers in the US Armed Forces cannot be dual citizens and would need to renounce their citizenship in the foreign country to receive a commission and/or security clearance.
No need to renounce unless asked, they just can not use their second passport for any official actions like...travel ....
 

shiner

USAFA Grad, Faculty 3yrs, ALO 7yrs
10-Year Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2010
Messages
1,169
Recent conversation on this topic:
 

Capt MJ

Formerly Known As Attila The Hunnette
10-Year Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2008
Messages
17,442
Hello,
I just recently got my appointment to USAFA! The one thing that is holding me back right now is my dual citizenship. As a dual citizen of Korea and the US, I need to serve in the Korean military to maintain my dual citizenship as they have a mandatory conscription. Is there any way that I can take a gap year while at USAFA to fulfill my duties? I've asked Team Silver and am waiting for a response but I wanted to know if anyone has heard or seen of cases where other cadets have done this.
Link below is for ‘25, see p.4 for mention of dual citizenship appointees. There is likely similar language in your class appointee booklet.

I could also swear in the last year, there have been posts from others with Korean citizenship, describing the complicated process to disentangle themselves from that situation, requiring multiple documents/forms that had to be translated, etc. I don’t recall which service academy they were headed for, but I’ll look for the thread.

You may want to call Admissions to discuss. Surely this will not be unfamiliar to them. Specifically bring up leaving to serve in another country’s military force.

Here’s the thread I was thinking about:
 
Last edited:

moho

Pilot, artist, AFROTC C/3C, USAFA/USNA Cand. '27
Joined
Jul 21, 2021
Messages
466
As far as I know, due to national security concerns, officers in the US Armed Forces cannot be dual citizens and would need to renounce their citizenship in the foreign country to receive a commission and/or security clearance.

Excited to hear what others can share on the subject. I am sure this one is clouded in rumor, bad info, and actual DoD regulation. The admissions team will share the actual policy with you. Best of luck in your endeavor.

The first document I had to sign when I showed up for AFROTC was the intent to renounce my Italian citizenship. Not actually renouncing it, but signing a document stating that I approve, if asked, for the U.S. government on my behalf to renounce that dual citizenship should it ever become a concern.

I highly doubt the DoD would be comfortable with a U.S. citizen serving in a foreign armed forces for a service commitment while active duty as a cadet, but obviously I am not qualified to speak on this matter, as you highlight in your last sentences
 

cluelesscandidateparents

Proud Parents of USNA and USAFA Candidate
Joined
Jan 14, 2022
Messages
592
The first document I had to sign when I showed up for AFROTC was the intent to renounce my Italian citizenship. Not actually renouncing it, but signing a document stating that I approve, if asked, for the U.S. government on my behalf to renounce that dual citizenship should it ever become a concern.

I highly doubt the DoD would be comfortable with a U.S. citizen serving in a foreign armed forces for a service commitment while active duty as a cadet, but obviously I am not qualified to speak on this matter, as you highlight in your last sentences
I agree w u 100%.
 

ak29

Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2021
Messages
39
I also was a dual citizen in Korea a few years back. What I did was I went to the Korean consulate up in Los Angeles in order to renounce my Korean citizenship. It's a lengthy process, so you should start it ASAP.
 

Humey

5-Year Member
Joined
Jun 21, 2016
Messages
2,092
I have no idea about Korean law but it is typical that if you serve in the military of your adopted country, the home country doesn't require you to serve there also. My son (US born) had Israeli citizenship which we felt it would be better to get rid of prior to commissioning. Israel wont typically allow you to renounce your citizenship until a certain age. They do this to avoid people who want to avoid the military. However, when we told them my son was serving in the US military, they allowed him to renounce it without any problems. Obviously, each nation has it own rules and each follows it in its own manner. However, i would go in and let them know you will be serving in the US military.
 

Pepper11

Proud Mom USAFA '26
Joined
Feb 20, 2022
Messages
52
Look at page 4 of the Appointee Handbook for information on dual citizenship.
 
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