Korean parents are rushing to buy new citizenship because they want their children to attend international schools.

Wealthy South Korean parents are "flocking" to buy citizenship in other countries so their children can attend international schools.

The trend of "buying citizenship" in South Korea.

Vanuatu, a small archipelago of 83 islands located in the South Pacific , is renowned as a paradise for nature lovers. However, this island nation is attracting attention in South Korea for a completely different purpose: purchasing citizenship for educational purposes.

Ms. Bae, 30, a housewife living in Seocho District, Seoul, is considering applying for Vanuatu citizenship so her 4-year-old son can attend an international school. “My son is attending a bilingual English kindergarten. I hope he can attend international schools in Korea instead of public schools,” she shared, emphasizing that the multicultural learning environment and English-language curriculum are the main reasons.

Korean parents believe that a multicultural learning environment and an English-language curriculum are the main reasons their children are admitted to international schools. Photo: AFP.

According to regulations from the Korean Ministry of Education , Korean children are only eligible to attend international schools if one parent holds foreign citizenship, or if the child has lived abroad for at least three years. Currently, immigration consulting firms in Korea are providing services to help parents meet the first requirement – ​​one parent holding foreign citizenship.

Citizenship by investment programs from countries like Vanuatu, with a minimum contribution of $130,000 (over 3.3 billion VND), are becoming a top choice. Mr. Cho, director of an immigration consulting firm in Seoul, said: “Vanuatu is one of the most popular destinations because of its quick application process and no residency requirement.”

Ms. Chang, another parent in Busan, shared that many families have chosen to have children born overseas or obtain citizenship from Pacific Island nations to ensure their children have the best possible educational environment. “Some people criticize parents like us, but it’s a personal choice. As long as it doesn’t violate the law, it should be respected,” Ms. Chang asserted.

Tuition fees at international schools in South Korea range from 30 to 40 million won per year, equivalent to the average salary of an office worker. Parents like Mrs. Bae view this cost as a necessary investment to ensure a better educational future for their children.

The purchase of citizenship is not only for educational purposes but is also being used for other purposes such as tax evasion or avoiding military service. This is why this trend is receiving significant attention from authorities and the public in South Korea.

Legal risks

Vanuatu's practice of "selling" visas has long been under scrutiny by European authorities. In May 2024, the European Commission (EC) officially proposed reinstating permanent visa requirements for Vanuatu citizens to mitigate security risks associated with visa-free travel. This proposal stems from the EC's ongoing efforts to control illegal migration and address security risks arising from visa-free travel, particularly those related to citizenship-by-investment programs operated by some visa-free countries.

Citizenship by investment programs, often known as "golden passports," have raised concerns about risks such as the influx of organized crime, money laundering, tax evasion, and corruption. Since May 2022, the EC has held numerous discussions with the Vanuatu authorities and concluded that these programs could threaten the security of the European Union (EU) as well as its member states.

Although the Vanuatu government has made some legal changes to meet EU requirements, the EC still believes these measures are insufficient to fully mitigate the risks associated with the country's citizenship-by-investment program. Currently, Vanuatu citizens must apply for a visa to enter the EU for short-term trips (maximum 90 days within any 180-day period) due to a temporary suspension imposed by the EC. The latest proposal from the EC aims to make this visa requirement permanent.

According to the plan, the deadline for the temporary suspension is August 3, 2024. Before this date, the EC hopes that the European Parliament and the EU Council will consider the proposal and make a final decision on permanently revoking the visa-free regime for Vanuatu citizens.

Despite the controversies, the trend of purchasing citizenship is rapidly increasing, especially among high-income parents in South Korea. Photo: IG.

Trading citizenship to get a good school.

According to lawyer Kim Hanna of Yulsaseojae Law Firm, South Korea's current Citizenship Act does not contain provisions preventing citizens from purchasing foreign citizenship. "If they want to prevent this, authorities need to enact new regulatory measures. However, there will always be people finding ways to circumvent the law," Ms. Kim stated.

Immigration consulting firms also operate in a legal "grey area." According to South Korea's Exit Act, these companies must register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but there is no strict oversight mechanism for their business operations. False advertising or charging exorbitant fees is prohibited, but if a company only advertises using phrases like "international school enrollment" or "tax savings," it is difficult to prosecute.

Despite the controversies, the trend of purchasing citizenship is rapidly increasing, especially among high-income parents in South Korea. Many are willing to give up their South Korean citizenship in exchange for better educational opportunities for their children. A report from the South Korean Ministry of Justice shows that between 2019 and 2022, 18 people renounced their South Korean citizenship to obtain Vanuatu citizenship. This number is expected to increase as consulting firms expand their operations.

For Ms. Bae, the minimum investment of $130,000 to obtain Vanuatu citizenship is "worthwhile" compared to the exorbitant cost of private education in South Korea. "Attending an international school not only helps my child become proficient in English but also gives them a significant advantage when applying to top universities," she shared.

However, experts warn that parents need to carefully consider their options before making a decision. Given the loopholes in current laws, purchasing citizenship for educational purposes raises serious ethical and family responsibilities.

Source: https://danviet.vn/phu-huynh-han-quoc-do-xo-mua-quoc-tich-moi-vi-muon-con-duoc-hoc-truong-quoc-te-20241128083932213.htm