Should Children Born and Raised in South Korea Become Citizens? A Growing Debate on Identity, Belonging, and the Future
As South Korea faces demographic challenges, many are asking whether children who grow up Korean in every way should remain foreigners on paper. By Majella Pagayon | June 14, 2026 What makes someone truly belong to a country? Is it their passport? Their parents' nationality? Or is it the place where they grew up, went to school, made friends, and built their identity? These questions are becoming increasingly important in South Korea as the country continues to navigate the realities of globalization, immigration, and a rapidly changing population. One person who has reflected deeply on this issue is Dr. Mohammad Nazmul Hasan , widely known as Nadim, a former international student who earned his PhD from the Korea National University of Transportation (KNUT). His story highlights not only the opportunities South Korea offers to talented individuals from around the world but also the challenges many foreign residents continue to face when trying to build long-term lives ...