The Constitutional Court has ruled that the Nationality Act that bans dual citizenship is constitutional.
 
The court on Thursday unanimously rejected a petition that claimed the law that bans dual citizenship violates basic human rights.
 
The court recognized the legislative purpose of Clause 1 of Article 15 of the Nationality Act, which stipulates Korean citizens who acquire a second citizenship must relinquish their Korean nationality.
 
The court said that the ban is legitimate as it is aimed at preventing various administrative problems that could arise when dual citizenship is allowed. The court also noted the possibility of diplomatic conflict and ill use of dual citizenship to dodge national duties while enjoying the rights only.
 
Meanwhile, the court also dismissed a petition filed against Article 10 of the Nationality Act, which requires foreign nationals to relinquish their original nationality after obtaining Korean citizenship.
 
The court said that it is difficult to regard the foreigner's right to dual citizenship as a basic right protected by the South Korean Constitution.