South Korean nationals who have been deported for committing violent crimes abroad will not be eligible for a passport for three years.

For South Koreans who incurred an official complaint due to violations of local laws in other countries, a one-year ban will be imposed.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained the revisions are a response to an increase in the number of South Koreans overseas and the subsequent rise of cases of South Korean nationals committing crimes or violating local laws while abroad.

The ministry also asked overseas South Korean Christian missionaries working in Middle Eastern Islamic nations to take precautions not to violate local laws.