Marrying a Zainichi Korean Japanese

markau · 22 Sep 2008

Hi all,

My girlfriend and I have know each other for the last five years, and lived together the last three. She is Zainichi Korean Japanese, meaning that she has a gaijin card like most of the foreigners here, and no Japanese passport.

She is 31 years old, me a little older.

Now, to get married, what do I need? There are lots of rumors out there. Do you need parental consent from both parents, or not? Or can she do it with two witnesses?

Also, regarding acquiring a Japanese passport as a Zainichi, how complicated is it?

Anyone with accurate information would be most appreciated.

regards,

Markau

undrentide · 22 Sep 2008

Unless your girlfiend gets naturalized and becomes a Japanese citizen, she's Korean and you should consult Korean Embassy in Japan.
Japanese passport is available only for Japanese citizens.

markau · 22 Sep 2008

This is the thing. She was born in Japan. Her parents were born in Japan. The grandparents came to japan(lets say they were encouraged) some 70-80 odd years earlier, from a part of Korea that is now known as North Korea.

In the eyes of most countries, she is in effect, Japanese, but without the passport. So I guess the next step is getting her to become a citizen.

I hope that makes things clearer as to the issues and impossibilities of wanting a North Korean passport.

undrentide · 22 Sep 2008

markau said:
This is the thing. She was born in Japan. Her parents were born in Japan. The grandparents came to japan(lets say they were encouraged) some 70-80 odd years earlier, from a part of Korea that is now known as North Korea.

In the eyes of most countries, she is in effect, Japanese, but without the passport. So I guess the next step is getting her to become a citizen.

I hope that makes things clearer as to the issues and impossibilities of wanting a North Korean passport.

Here's a quotation from wiki on Japanese nationality law.
"Japan is a jus sanguinis state, meaning that it attributes citizenship by blood, not by location of birth."
Japanese nationality law - Wikipedia

If she wishes to become a Japanese citizen and get a Japanese passport, she needs to get naturalized.

This is the website supporting Zainichi Korean on legal issues including naturalization. (in Japanese language.)
在日コリアン支援ネット
*Note: This is just one of the many webpages I happen to find on internet, I don't mean it is the best one. There are a lot more information on the net, your girlfriend should research herself too. For someone who was born and brought up in Japan, information in Japanese language should be easier to understand than that in English.

pipokun · 22 Sep 2008

the next step is (WHO?) getting her to become a citizen.

She? DPRK? Japan?

As the decreasing trend of the total number of special permanent resident, zainichi, shows, some choose the Japanese passport, other retain their N/S Korean passport.

It is just a matter of choice.

I don't know how the DPRK treats the international marriage. But if you apply your spouse visa to Japan after the marriage, your resident status is the 99% same as other spouse visa holders.
The 1% difference might be at the time when your wife goes outside Japan.
I have no idea about the eyes of most countries, but I suppose the Heathrow immigration staff would treat her in the 98.5% same (ineffective) way in a non-EU citzen lane when you and she go to see your family in your country.

markau · 22 Sep 2008

Yes, this is one of the issues, traveling abroad, which I want to do.

There is no way she wants the North Korean passport. Getting a South Korean passport requires a family register similiar to what they use in Japan, so really, the easiest would be for her to get a Japanese passport.

With the Zainichi, there is a lot of pride involved in their nationality, which is completely understandable but does complicate things.

Now regarding marriage in Japan, is it true that you need parental consent?

undrentide · 22 Sep 2008

markau said:
Yes, this is one of the issues, traveling abroad, which I want to do.

There is no way she wants the North Korean passport. Getting a South Korean passport requires a family register similiar to what they use in Japan, so really, the easiest would be for her to get a Japanese passport.

With the Zainichi, there is a lot of pride involved in their nationality, which is completely understandable but does complicate things.

Now regarding marriage in Japan, is it true that you need parental consent?

I'm not sure if it is the "easiest" way to get a Japanese passport, which means she's getting naturalized and becoming a Japanese citizen...
(Is she ready to renounce her N.Korean nationality? Considering their situation, I guess the family tie must be very strong among Zainichi people. Renouncing N.Korean nationality would be a very big issue and could cut her tie with her family and relatives, I wonder?)

Anyway, parental consent is required (I mean, legally) only when the person who is getting married is a minor.

Edit: Process of naturalization
*This is from another website for supporting Zainichi Koreans on legal issues.
http://www.kankokukoseki.com/nagare2.html
It seems to takes about 10 months.

Glenski · 23 Sep 2008

Ask each of your respective embassies.
It also matters whether you want to get married in Japan or the UK.

Marrying a Zainichi Korean Japanese

markau

後輩

undrentide

Japa'n vagyok

markau

後輩

undrentide

Japa'n vagyok

pipokun

先輩

markau

後輩

undrentide

Japa'n vagyok

Glenski

Just me

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