[Exclusive Interview] Hwang Woo-suk: "I Applied to Regain South Korean Citizenship"

"Notified the Korean Embassy on the Day He Acquired UAE Citizenship"
"Applied to Regain South Korean Citizenship Following the Embassy's Guidance"
"Currently Awaiting the Ministry of Justice's Decision"
"South K

Hwang Woo-suk, a former Seoul National University professor who lost his South Korean citizenship after acquiring UAE citizenship on April 9, said in an interview with The Asia Business Daily on November 9, "I applied to regain my South Korean citizenship and am waiting for the Ministry of Justice's decision." He said, "On the day I was granted UAE citizenship, I informed the South Korean Embassy in the UAE and reported the loss of my Korean citizenship. I later applied to regain it, following the embassy's guidance." The move appears to be a step toward obtaining dual citizenship, which is permitted for overseas Koreans aged 65 and older. This is different from what some have described as "giving up South Korean citizenship and becoming a UAE citizen."

Hwang Woo-suk, a former professor at Seoul National University who acquired UAE citizenship, told The Asia Business Daily that he had applied to regain South Korean citizenship. Overseas Koreans aged 65 and older are allowed to hold dual citizenship if they pass a review by the Ministry of Justice.

Under Article 9 of the Nationality Act, a foreign national who was once a South Korean citizen may reacquire South Korean citizenship with the permission of the Minister of Justice. South Korea generally does not allow multiple citizenship, but an exception is provided under Article 10, Paragraph 2 of the act. Overseas Koreans who meet requirements, including being at least 65 years old, may retain multiple citizenship after pledging not to exercise their foreign citizenship. Hwang appears to have applied to regain his South Korean citizenship on the day he acquired UAE citizenship, following guidance from the South Korean Embassy there.

Former Professor Hwang: "I went after being invited for tea, and it turned out to be a ceremony to grant me citizenship"

Regarding how he acquired UAE citizenship, Hwang said, "It seems there was no application process or in-person screening for obtaining citizenship in the UAE. I was invited to come by for a cup of tea, but it turned out to be a surprise ceremony to grant me citizenship." The remarks appear to mean that UAE Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, famous as the owner of the English Premier League club Manchester City, arranged the ceremony because he had long supported Hwang.

Former Professor Hwang Wooseok speaks with Vice President Mansour (right), known as a patron.

Applied to Regain South Korean Citizenship, Awaiting Ministry of Justice Decision

Hwang said, "At the citizenship ceremony, the host announced that the UAE generally does not allow multiple citizenship, but that I would be exceptionally allowed to hold both South Korean and UAE citizenship." He added, "My understanding is that the UAE does not grant citizenship simply because someone wants it." He said, "South Korea allows overseas Koreans aged 65 and older to hold multiple citizenship, but that depends on the Ministry of Justice's decision. I have applied to regain my citizenship and am waiting, regardless of whether my application is approved." Hwang is currently the CEO of UAE Biotech, a biotechnology research institute in Abu Dhabi, UAE, where he conducts research on cloning and stem cells.

Former Professor Hwang is currently conducting research on cloning and stem cells at UAE Biotech, a biotechnology research institute in Abu Dhabi.

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