"I Will Give Birth to My Second Child in Korea": Ahn Youngmi Quickly Addresses Birth Tourism Allegations—Here's Why

Speculation Over 'Birth Tourism': Agency States "The Birth Will Take Place in Korea"

Husband to Return to Korea in Time for the Birth

TV personality Ahn Youngmi has responded to renewed suspicions of “birth tourism” in the United States ahead of the birth of her second child, stating, “I will be giving birth in Korea.” Her agency explained that her second child is a boy and that her husband, who is currently working in the U.S., is scheduled to return to Korea to coincide with the birth. In 2023, Ahn Youngmi gave birth to her first child in the U.S., which sparked controversy over birth tourism at the time. Analysts say that this latest controversy once again reveals the sensitive public sentiment in Korean society, which is intertwined with issues of dual citizenship and mandatory military service.

On the 22nd, Ahn Youngmi’s agency, Media Lab Seesaw, announced, “Ahn Youngmi’s second child is a boy, and this birth will take place in Korea.” The agency added, “Her husband, who is currently working in the United States, will also return to Korea in time for the birth to be by her side and share in the joy of welcoming their child.” Additional reports stated that Ahn Youngmi is scheduled to give birth to her second son at an obstetrics and gynecology clinic in Korea next month.

This statement appears to be a response to speculation that spread online immediately after Ahn Youngmi announced her maternity leave on radio and social media, with some questioning whether she would give birth to her second child in the U.S. as well. Previously, on MBC FM4U’s “2 O’clock Date with Ahn Youngmi,” she announced she would temporarily step down as DJ to prepare for the birth of her second child and posted on social media that she would “deliver safely and return healthy and strong.” Afterward, some online users speculated that she might travel to the U.S., where her husband is, to give birth.

The reason Ahn Youngmi responded quickly to this controversy stems from the debate she faced when she gave birth to her first child in 2023. Ahn Youngmi married a non-celebrity working in the U.S. in 2020, and gave birth to her first son in the U.S. in 2023. At the time, her agency explained, “It was a decision to share the joy of childbirth with her husband, who lives and works in the United States.” However, some criticized this as an attempt to obtain dual citizenship through birth tourism. Ultimately, her agency had to warn of legal action against the spread of false information and malicious slander at that time.

Controversy Over “Birth Tourism” Linked to Dual Citizenship and Military Service Issues

The reason “birth tourism” is a particularly sensitive issue in Korean society is because it is connected to dual citizenship and military service obligations. When the government revised the Nationality Act in 2010, it allowed dual citizenship in limited cases, but stipulated that those who engage in birth tourism for the purpose of acquiring foreign citizenship must renounce their foreign nationality in order to gain Korean citizenship. The Military Manpower Administration also states that men with dual citizenship are required to choose a nationality, and those who do not renounce Korean citizenship remain subject to mandatory military service.

However, there are no official domestic statistics that separately count cases of birth tourism itself. Instead, statistics on nationality affairs such as nationality renunciation and loss are often cited in related discussions. According to e-Nara Indicators, in 2023, there were 25,399 cases of nationality loss and 3,903 cases of nationality renunciation. Nationality renunciation refers to dual citizens giving up their Korean citizenship in favor of a foreign citizenship. While this is not the same as birth tourism, it is often referenced as a background indicator in the debate over dual citizenship.

Traveling Abroad for Childbirth Is a Sensitive Issue Overseas As Well

Traveling to another country for childbirth is also a sensitive issue overseas. Starting in January 2020, the U.S. Department of State changed its regulations to allow denial of B visas to those who intend to give birth in the U.S. primarily for their child to obtain U.S. citizenship. In the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the number of foreign tourists giving birth rose to about 600 cases in 2018, but then dropped to 47 cases in 2025 due to tighter regulations and changes in policy.

Debate over birthright citizenship in the United States has also fueled the controversy over birth tourism. In response to then-President Donald Trump’s attempt to restrict birthright citizenship, the U.S. Supreme Court in 2025 limited the scope of nationwide injunctions but did not rule on the constitutionality of the policy itself. As of 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court continues to address the issue of restricting birthright citizenship as a major topic, once again drawing international attention to the principle of granting citizenship to children born in the U.S.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.