Naturalization and Honorary Citizenship

The traditional Korean states of Chosŏn 1392-1897, and the Tae Han Empire 1897-1910 did not have any legislation on nationality. During the occupation, the Japanese did not impose any nationality legislation on Koreans, not even Japan’s Nationality Act. When South Korea gained independence in 1948, there were three fundamental questions which needed to be answered. First, how to link non-legislated, Korean Citizenship before the annexation with citizenship after the occupation. (Many felt that the Korean state had never ceased to exist despite the Japanese occupation and that the question was moot.) Second, how to handle the citizenship question for expatriates who either voluntarily or were forcibly moved to foreign countries during the occupation. Third, the division of Korea into the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) gives rise to the question of how to treat the citizens of the DPRK. Under Article 3, of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea 대한민국 헌법 (大韓民國憲法) 1988, there is the very abstract constitutional rule that “The territory of the Republic of Korea shall consist of the Korean peninsula and its adjacent islands”.¹

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Korean / Americans who wish to regain their Korean Citizenship

If a Korean American has a birthdate that is on or after June 14, 1998, they can acquire dual citizenship (US/Korea) at birth if either of your parents is Korean. Even if it is confirmed through the above that you have acquired dual citizenship since birth, you cannot immediately apply for the recovery of South Korean nationality. If your parents did not register your birth or did not complete the nationality loss report procedure, it is impossible to apply for nationality recovery due to the lack of documents. Once you have confirmed through the above that you are entitled to dual citizenship by birth and that once the birth registration and nationality loss report procedures have been completed, you can apply for nationality recovery. It is highly recommended that you seek the assistance of legal professionals to guide you through the process.

A crucial point for older Korean Americans to regain their Korean Citizenship, is that when a Korean-American aged 65 or older applies for nationality recovery, dual citizenship is not necessarily recognized. In other words, to be granted dual citizenship, you must “enter Korea after the age of 65 with the purpose of residing permanently from a foreign country.” Therefore, Korean-Americans aged 65 or older must first obtain an F-4 visa. By entering Korea with an F-4 visa, you will have a residence in Korea, making it easier to prove your intention to reside permanently. Subsequently, you can apply for nationality recovery and, following the nationality recovery decision, acquire US/Korean dual citizenship by making a pledge not to exercise your US nationality. While it is possible to navigate the procedures on your own, the document preparation can be complex and time-consuming. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you seek the assistance of legal professionals to guide you through the process. For more specific information, click on the “Overseas Korean” tab on the Korea Visa Portal — Visa by Categories.

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Naturalized Korean Citizenship

Under Article 6 of Presidential Decree #25532, Enforcement Decree of the Nationality Act (Aug. 7, 2014), persons subject to Special Naturalization, are:

• (1) “Any person who has contributed greatly to the Republic of Korea” in Article 7 (1) 2 of the Act means any of the following persons:  <Amended by Presidential Decree No. 25384, Jun. 17, 2014>
  • 1. A person who is himself/herself, his/her spouse, or lineal ascendants and descendants, falling under any of the following subparagraphs:
    • (a) A person who contributes to the independence of the State under Article 4 of the Act on the Honorable Treatment of Persons of Distinguished Services to Independence
    • (b) A person who contributes to distinguished services of the Sate under Article 4 of the Act on the Honorable Treatment and Support of Persons, etc. of Distinguished Services of the State, and who has been conferred any decoration, medal, or commendation by the Government of the Republic of Korea under relevant Acts in recognition of contributions to distinguished services to the State;
  • 2. A person who contributes to the national interests of the Republic of Korea in various sectors, such as national security, society, the economy, education, or culture;
  • 3. A person who is acknowledged by the Minister of Justice to have made a contribution similar to those under subparagraphs 1 and 2.
• (2) A person falling under Article 7 (1) 3 of the Act shall be the one appointed by the Minister of Justice after going through the deliberation of the Nationality Deliberation Committee under Article 28 from among the following persons:
  • 1. A person recommended by the Secretary General of the National Assembly, the Minister of National Court Administration, the Secretary General of the Constitutional Court, or the head of a central administrative agency;
  • 2. A person recommended by the head of a diplomatic mission abroad, the head of a local government (referring to the Special Metropolitan City, a Metropolitan City, a Do and a Special Self-Governing Province), the president of a four-year course university or college, or the head of an agency or organization prescribed by the Minister of Justice and referred to deliberation by the Minister of Justice;
  • 3. A person whose authority is internationally acknowledged in view of awards, research results, or career, etc. in the field of science, economy, culture, or sports and who is referred to deliberation by the Minister of Justice.
• [This Article Wholly Amended by Presidential Decree No. 22750, Mar. 29, 2011]

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Honorary Citizen of South Korea

Honorary citizen 명예국민 (名譽國民) is an honor bestowed by South Korea’s Minister of Justice on foreigners of exceptional merit. It is a symbolic honor; the recipient does not take the Oath of Citizenship and thus does not receive any rights, privileges, or duties typically held by a citizen of South Korea.² The regulations governing grants of honorary citizenship are found in Article 22 of the Nationality Administrative Processing Directions 국적업무처리지침 ³. Paragraph 1 provides the criteria: foreigners may be granted honorary citizenship if they have received an order, decoration, or medal from the South Korean government; in recognition of contributions in the fields of security, society, economy, or the arts; or for other contribution at a level similar to the two previously mentioned. Paragraph 3 provides that an honorary citizen of South Korea can enjoy special immigration privileges under ordinances from the Minister of Justice. Honorary citizens can enter the Republic of Korea without a visa, and if they apply for permanent residency in Korea, it will be granted immediately without any conditions or examination.

According to Wikipedia, as of June 2018, only four people have been granted honorary citizenship of South Korea.

• Guus Hiddink, awarded on July 2, 2002. He was the Head Coach of the South Korean national football (soccer) team, who was the first to lead the team to a semi-final of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. In previous, five-straight World Cups, Korea had not won a single match.
• Marianne Stöger (1934~) (Korean name: Ko Ji-seon) Awarded on June 8, 2016. She is an Austrian nun who worked as a nurse at the Hansen’s Disease (leprosy) colony on Sorok Island, South Jeolla Province from 1962 to 2005.
• Margaritha Pissarek (1935~) (Korean name: Baek Soo-seon) Awarded on June 8, 2016. She is an Austrian nun who worked as a nurse at the Hansen’s Disease (leprosy) colony on Sorok island, South Jeolla Province from 1966 to 2005.
• Father Patrick James McGlinchey (1928 – 2018) (Korean name: Im Pi-je 임피제). He was posthumously awarded on June 5, 2018. He was an Irish Catholic missionary who settled on Jeju Island and contributed to live stock farming there.

Another information source, states that from 2012 to Apr. 2022, the justice ministry has given 12 individuals honorary citizenship for their positive impact and dedication to South Korea. The first individual to receive this honor was an American, John Alderman Linton, a doctor who was the first foreign national to pass the South Korean medical exam in 1987. He also helped develop the first local ambulance vehicle production in South Korea. He was born in South Korea to American missionaries. His family has been in Korea since 1895, when his great-grandfather, Eugene Bell, came as a Southern Presbyterian missionary.

Guus Hiddink also received an Honorary Seoul Citizenship Award (see below). He was also awarded the Order of Sports Merit, Cheongryong Medal 청룡장 (靑龍章) “Blue dragon” (1^st Class). The Gwanju Stadiun, which was one of the stadiums for the 2002 World Cup, has been renamed the Guus Hiddink Stadium. Hiddink also received a villa on Jejudo (island) 제주도 (濟州島). Korean Air and Asiana Airlines have given him free airline tickets for life. In 2005, Hiddink received an honorary doctorate by the University of Seoul. In Korea, he has a lifetime entitlement for free taxi rides. Hiddink was named an honorary citizen of Eindhoven, Holland, after winning his sixth Eredivisie title in 2006. Hiddink’s picture was put on a postage stamp by the Australia Post following the 2006 FIFA World Cup and by Korea in 2008. He was given a lifetime achievement award by the Royal Dutch Football Association in 2007. Guus Hiddink coached the Russian Federation Team in 2008 and took them to the semifinals. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (2008 – 2012) offered Hiddink Russian Citizenship. (I have been unable to confirm whether he received it or not.)

Besides honorary citizenship, Marianne Stöger and Margaritha Pissarek have received other Awards. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Austria awarded both nurses the National Medal of Honor in June 1972. There was a petition recommending the two nurses for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize. Marianne Stöger was the 48^th Korean recipient of the “Florence Nightingale Medal” which is awarded by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). In 1999, she was awarded the (Samsung) Ho Am Prize 호암상 (湖岩賞, literally lake and rock award), often referred to as the Korean Nobel Prize. She donated the $200,000 prize money to the hospital. The Ho-Am Prize is awarded for “Recognition for the Ennoblement of the Human Spirit in Academics, The Arts, and Human Welfare.” The six prize categories are Science, Engineering, Medicine, The Arts, Community Service, and Special Field. The only category open to non-Koreans is the Community Service Prize. In 2018, she received the Badge of Honor from the state of Tyrol (Das Ehrenzeichen des Landes Tirol).

Father P. J. McGLINCHEY arrived at Cheju island in 1953, just as the Korean War was ending, he found “…farmers extremely poor, yet basically very talented, while 50,000 hectares of land lay idle.” Upon completion of his language study in 1955, Father McGlinchey started his first pilot project—teaching farmers improved hog raising. His work with the latter earned him the nickname “pig priest”. He established the St. Isidore Farm in 1961. In March 1973, he received the “Honorary Resident of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea”. He also received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1975 and Ireland’s Presidential Distinguished Service Award in 2014. He is buried at St. Isidore Farm. I have not been able to confirm, but it appears that he also received Republic of Korea Order of Civil Merit, Moran Medal (2^nd Class) in 2015.

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Honorary Seoul Citizenship Award

The Honorary Seoul Citizenship Award is given to those who have helped raise the city’s global image in various fields, including culture, economy, science, and technology.

The award dates back to 1958 when the city started recognizing foreign nationals who had contributed to rebuilding the city after the 1950-53 Korean War. As of Dec. 2023, a total of 914 people from 100 countries have been awarded Honorary Seoul Citizenship, including residents of the capital as well as presidents and diplomats from outside the country who visited the city. This included: 182 state guests of Seoul, 562 meritorious individuals, and 170 persons who participated in international competitions, etc. In 2022, the winners were selected among those who lived in the city for three years in a row or five years in total. They were then recommended by embassies or public institutes in the city, followed by the consent of the lawmakers in the city council.

In 1999, Jackie Chan (1954~), the Hong Kong movie star, received the Honorary Seoul Citizenship Award. His mastery of the Korean language was a surprise to most Koreans. In 2005, he received honorary citizenship of Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province 통영시, 경상남도 for his many contributions to the city.

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Others

Pyeongtaek Honorary Citizenship

The Yonhap news agency in Seoul announced on Oct. 29, 2021, that Australian Vice Adm. Stuart Campbell Mayer, the deputy commander of the United Nations Command (UNC), had received a Korean name and become an honorary citizen of Pyeongtaek 평택, a city 70 kilometers south of Seoul. Jung Jang-seon 정장선 (鄭長善), the mayor of Pyeongtaek 평택시장 where the UNC is headquartered, gave the Vice-Admiral the Korean name Min Yi-young, which translates as “benefiting the people with brightness.” He and his wife, Sue Mayer, both received an Honorary Citizen Certificate. A city official said that it is rare for the municipality to give a Korean name to a deputy UNC commander, highlighting his “special” relationship with Pyeongtaek. “We made the decision on the symbolic name in light of his contribution to the alliance and security in the region,” the official said. “The deputy commander also actively joined the ‘Stay Strong’ campaign to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in the city and other programs.” Mayer took the deputy UNC commander post in 2019. The UNC oversees the armistice that halted the 1950-53 Korean War.

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Kwangju Honorary Citizenship

A short story and why Tim Shorrock received Kwangju Honorary Citizenship.

A series of democratic movements in South Korea began with the assassination of President Park Chung-hee on October 26, 1979. Shortly thereafter, South Korean Army major general Chun Doo-hwan 전두환 (全斗煥 1931-2021) seized power through a coup d’état on December 12, 1979. For all intents and purposes, Chun Doo-hwan was now the de facto leader of the country, even though he wasn’t officially inaugurated as the President of South Korea until Sept. 1, 1980.

In May 1980, the city of Kwangju (Gwangju 광주) in South Cholla (Jeolla) province erupted in a popular uprising against the new regime. General Chun Doo Hwan responded with a bloodbath that killed hundreds. There is no universally accepted death toll for the uprising. The death records for the city of Kwangju show that for May 1980, they were 2,300 deaths above the normal monthly average. In Korea, the event is often referred to as 5-18 (오일팔, 五一八), which references the date when the movement began (May 18). The uprising is also known as the Kwangju Democratization Struggle 광주 민주화 항쟁 (光州民主化抗爭), the Kwangju Massacre, the May 18 Democratic Uprising, or the May 18 Kwangju Democratization Movement 5·18 광주 민주화 운동 (五一八光州民主化運動).

The United States has always denied any foreknowledge of Korean troop deployment to quell the uprising. In a June 19, 1989, a white paper downplayed the U.S. actions of then Ambassador William H. Gleysteen and others. For many years, South Koreans were not allowed to speak openly or freely about the Kwangju Rebellion.  But Koreans were very suspicious of possible American involvement, which led to an increase in anti-American sentiment among South Korean students and activists during the 1980s.

In 1996, Tim Shorrock wrote a series of articles for the “Journal of Commerce” and South Korea’s “Sisa Journal” that, exposed how deeply the Carter administration was involved in the planning for the military coup and suppression of the demonstrators. His articles were based on several hundred declassified documents from the State Department and the Pentagon, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Until his articles, Koreans had no idea of the depth of US complicity. (Years later, he obtained several hundred declassified documents, showing how badly the CIA had underestimated Korean opposition to the dictatorship.)

The Kwangju Uprising had a profound impact on South Korean politics and history. It has become a symbol of South Koreans’ struggle against authoritarian regimes and for democracy. In 1997, May 18 was declared an official Memorial Day and is commemorated every year by official government ceremonies.

On May 21, 2015, Tim Shorrock received Kwangju Honorary Citizenship from its mayor, Yoon Jang-Hyun 윤장현. George Katsiaficas, an American academic who has written two books about the impact of Kwangju on Asian social movements, has also received Kwangju Honorary Citizenship.

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Busan (Pusan) Honorary Citizenship

Honorary Citizenship in Busan is currently based on two pieces of city legislation. 1.) Enforcement Rules of Busan Metropolitan City Ordinance for the Conferment and Control of Honorary Citizenship Certificate (enacted on April 10, 2019) and 2.) Busan Metropolitan City Ordinance on the Conferment and Control of Honorary Citizenship Certificate (enacted on Nov. 13, 2019)

Honorary Citizenship in Busan is granted to foreigners, Koreans living abroad, and Koreans living in other cities within Korea. It is granted to 1) those who have promoted Busan’s standing in Korea or abroad, 2) those who have contributed to making citizens’ lives better or promoted Busan’s culture, 3) those who have contributed to local scientific, technological, economic development or city affairs, and 4) those to whom the mayor wishes to grant Honorary Citizenship to.

Honorary Citizenship can be cancelled should the grantee’s behavior be unbecoming of an Honorary Citizen or if it is the expressed wish of the grantee.

According to the Busan Metropolitan Website, there have been 270 awards of Busan Honorary Citizenship, with 150 granted to Koreans and 120 given to foreigners. The website covers the years 1966 to 2021.

List of Honorary Citizens of Pusan

• Wilbur Nelson 1979.5.22 Priest. Entrusted money to build a hall at Isabelle High School and Promoted Korea through US media
• Charles Wiggs 1979.6.22 Missionary & Doctor. Expanded medical facilities and provided medical   service free of charge as President of Baptist Hospital
• Yves Le Corre 1979.8.31 President of Universite Paris 7. Promoted friendship between Korea and France
• Kurt Schmidtke 1979.12.31President of Educational & Social Welfare Institute.                                  Contributed 2 bn. KRW to vocational education, etc.
• William Chandler 1980.9.9 President of Lions Club International. Contributed to world peace and revitalizing Lions Club in Busan area
• Iren Theimar Branun 1982.5.21 Nurse at Baptist Hospital.  Provided medical services free of charge at homes for the aged, orphanages, etc.
• Hosoda Nasae 1984.4.19 Chief Director at Sejeon Academy.Contributed fund for local tree planting project
• Yildirim Akbulut 1991.5.15 Former Prime Minister of Turkey. Promoted friendship between Korea and Turkey
• Rebekah Lambert 1991.9.14 Head of Clinical Laboratory at Baptist Hospital                                  . Contributed to enhancing citizens’ health while working for 33 years at Baptist Hospital
• KIM, Dong-seob 1992.11.12 Artist. Donated materials to Natural History Museum
• Barbara H. Martin 1993.12.24 Doctor at Ilsin Christian Hospital.  Contributed to enhancing citizens’ health while working for 30 years at Ilsin Christian Hospital, etc.
• Charles Townes 1997.1.21 Honorary Professor at University of California. As 1964 Nobel laureate in physics, contributed to promoting educational exchanges between University of California and Pusan National University, etc.
• KANG, Dong-seok 1997.8.1 History Dept. Junior at California State University. Promoted Korea by sailing around the world
• Nishio Akira 1997.11.17 Professor. Contributed to promoting the image of Busan by writing many papers related to Busan’s standing in the international arena in the 21st Century
• Antoni Negre Villavcchia 1999.5.17 Chairman of EU Chamber of Commerce in Korea. Contributed to establishing sisterhood between Chambers of Commerce of Busan and Barcelona, Spain
• YUN, Gang-ro 2000.10.28 President of International Sports Diplomacy Institute. Contributed to Busan’s playing host to Busan East Asian Games and its success
• SHIN, Gyeok-ho 2000.12.18 Chairman of Lotte Group. Promoted revitalization of the local economy of Busan
• JEONG, Mong-jun 2003.5.31 President of Korea Football Association.  Contributed to successful Final Draw for the 2002 FIFA World Cup
• Guus Hiddink 2003. 5.31 Head Coach of the South Korea National Football Team.  Contributed to Korean national football team’s first victory in Busan during the 2002 FIFA World Cup
• LEE, Yun-gu 2004.1.30 President of Korean Red Cross (President of World Headquarters for the Zero Tuberculosis Movement). Contributed to raising Busan citizens’ awareness and conducted many social volunteer works
• DHO, Yeong-sim 2004.8.6 Chairperson of Korea Choral Institute. Contributed to successfully hosting the Choral Competition and enhanced the cultural standing of Busan
• KIM, Dong-ho 2004.10.7 Director of PIFF. Contributed to successfully hosting the Pusan Int’l Film Festival and enhanced the cultural standing of Busan
• YU, Jae-geon 2005. 8.26 Chairman of the Organizing Committee for Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled. Contributed to successfully hosting the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled and raised Busan’s standing in and out of Korea
• JO, Yong-pil 2005.6.4 Singer. Extended support for Busan’s hosting of the 2005 APEC Economic Leaders’ Summit
• LEE, Hong-gu 2005.6.20 Former Korean Prime Minister & Chairman of APEC City Selection Committee.  Supported Busan’s hosting of the 2005 APEC Economic Leaders’ Summit
• JO, Sumi 2005. 8.13 Soprano. Promoted Busan and supported Busan’s hosting of the 2005 APEC Economic Leaders’ Summit
• Vladimir Zranovich Kurilov 2005.9.13 Co-Chairman of Korea-Russia Far East Cooperation Center. Contributed to promoting cooperation between Busan and the far eastern region of Russia
  Valery Petrovich Dikarev 2005.9.13 Member of Korea-Russia Far East Cooperation Center. Contributed to promoting cooperation between Busan and the far eastern region of Russia
• Vladmir Vasilyevich Verkholyak 2005.9.13 Manager of Joint Committee for Korea-Russia Far East Cooperation Center. Contributed to promoting cooperation between Busan and the far eastern region of Russia
• MUN, Seong-jae 2005.10.5 Singer. Contributed to inspiring Busan citizens’ love for their city and promoted Busan in and out of Korea
• Helmut Korte 2005.11.22 Entrepreneur. Contributed to attracting foreign investment to Busan during City Sales Trip to LA
• Jerome Stoll 2006.2.20 CEO of Renault Samsung Motors. Contributed to revitalizing local economy and attracting foreign investment to Busan
• Heinz Wagner 2006.6.23 Germanischer Lloyd Area Manager in South Korea. Contributed to the development of Busan’s shipbuilding and shipbuilding machinery and equipment industry
• Toby.S.C Dawson 2007.5.23 Bronze Medalist of Torino Winter Olympic Games. Won a bronze medal at 2006 Torino Winter Olympic Games and promoted Korea and the City of Busan, where he was born
• LEE, Su-ja 2007. 9.20 Director of Yun I-sang Music Institute.  Contributed to bringing a reconciliatory atmosphere between the two Koreas by promoting people-to-people music exchanges
• LEE, Seung-heon 2007.10.28 President of University of Brain Education. Contributed to enhancing citizens’ health through boosting Sports for All movement
• LEE, Yeong-tak 2008.3.31 CEO of Korea Exchange. Contributed to revitalizing the local economy and turning Busan into an international financial city by bringing the KRX to Busan
• Jeron Kennis Royster 2008.9.28 Manager of Lotte Giants. Contributed to Busan’s Lotte Giants team’s advance to the post season games for the first time in 8 years, thereby making the citizens of Busan prouder of their city
• Ha, Jeong-ung 2009.2.11 Korean businessman residing in Japan. Contributed to boosting donation and expanding art collection of the Busan Museum of Art by donating 228 modern artworks to the Busan Museum of Art.
• Inoue Hiroyuki (井上浩行) 2009.5.19 Entrepreneur. The founder of YK Steel Corporation. Contributed to revitalizing local economy, and to a variety of corporate philanthropic activities and improving labor-management cooperation
• Tian Bao Zhen (田寶珍) 2009.07.02 Former Consul General of the people’s republic of China in Busan. Promoted friendship between Busan and China
• Abdullah Gül 2010.6.16 President of Turkey. Established and promoted a sisterhood relationship between Busan and Turkey
• Valery N. Yermolov 2011.4.26 Former Consul General of Russia in Busan. Established and promoted a sisterhood relationship between Busan and St. Petersburg and Built Russian School in Busan
• Tamitsuji, Shuitsu (民辻秀逸) 2011.5.23 Former Consul General of Japan in Busan. Contributed to vitalizing international exchange between Busan and Japan, and to establishing a sisterhood relationship between Busan and Fukuoka 
• Trauner Anton Joseph 2011.6.24 Catholic Priest / Director for Korea World Apostolate of Fatima/Blue Army. Working in welfare, education and medicine to help the poor. Founded the Handok girl’s vocational high school, which is now the Busan culture girl’s high school
• Wolf D. Prix 2011.9.29 Architect / co-founder of COOP HIMMELB(L)AU. Designed Busan Cinema Center, the main venue of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). Contributed to improving city’s image with Busan Cinema Center, a new landmark of Busan.
• Thomas Cruise 2013.1.10 Film Actor and Producer. Enhanced the city’s image as an important center for the film and visual culture industries in Asia and promoted the Busan Cinema Center worldwide
• Hamadoun TOURE 2013.10.22 ITU Secretary-General. Supported to promote the 19th Plenipotentiary Conference which is being held from October 20 until November 7, 2014, at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO)
• Zhao Houlin 2014.11.4 Secretary-General of ITU. Contributed to Busan becoming host of 2014 ITU Plenipotentiary Conference
• Venu Srinivasan 2014.12.18 Chairman of TVS Motor Company / Honorary Consul General of South Korea in Chennai, India. Supported efforts to attract investment funds to Busan
• Juan Orlando Hernández 2015.7.21 President of the Republic of Honduras. Contributed to promoting international exchange between Busan and Honduras
• Jeong Jin- Seop 2017.9.12 Commander of Republic of Korea Fleet (CRF). Promoted closer ties between the Republic of Korea Navy and Busan citizens, and enhanced the status of Busan
• Brad-Cooper 2017.9.12 Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea (CNFK). Enhanced the status of Korean naval power through naval military exchanges between ROK and U.S. Promoted the marine city of Busan
• Leo Gabriel Demay 2017.10.24 Former Chief of International Cooperation at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery. Many years of his dedicated work at the UN Memorial Cemetery has helped to raise awareness overseas. Introduced the U.N. Memorial Cemetery to Korean War veterans and bereaved family members, and promoted Busan. Contributed to social activities – volunteering with multicultural families while he was staying in Busan
• KON MASAYUKI 2019.6.28 President of the non-profit organization “Busan Saran”.                        Promoted Busan through his YouTube channel “Waboiso Busan”, which provides over 300 videos about tourist attractions, food and restaurants in Busan and hosted Korea-Japan Exchange meetings
• 岡本寛司 2019.6.28 Director of M Vision Strategy Department, MBS Mainichi Broadcasting System Inc. Broadcasted the 1st Busan One Asia Festival (BOF) and Busan promotional program. Worked as ticket sales agent of opening and closing events of the 3rd BOF in Japan in 2018
• Carlos Carranco 2019.6.28 Marketing Agent. Played a pivotal role as a marketing agent at the Busan Trade Office Los Angeles since its opening 20 years ago by supporting Busan-based small and medium-sized businesses expand into America, South America and Canada among other regions.
• Mark Geoffrey Yeandle 2019.6.28 Director of Z/Yen Partners Limited. Z/Yen Group published the 17th Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI 17) in Busan in 2015. Busan was ranked 24th among the world’s 82 cities listed on the GFCI 17, moving up four places from the previous ranking of 28th in September 2014. Its research indicated that Busan has the potential to grow in importance and reinforced its position as a hub for financial services in Northeast Asia.
• Tri Rismaharini 2019.6.28 Mayor of Surabaya, Indonesia. Provided various cultural experience opportunities for youth of the two sister cities (Busan and Surabaya) through the Busan-Surabaya youth exchange program over the past 10 years.
• Danielle Grace Kang 2019.6.28 American professional golfer. Playing on the LPGA Tour since 2012. Her achievements include winning the 2018 Buick LPGA Shanghai. 
• Lee Jae-yong 2019.6.28 Movie and TV drama actor. President of the Busan-based pop culture network “갈매기의 꿈” (Dream of Seagull)
  Contributed to the development of pop culture in Busan, among other related projects, and has been instrumental in discovering cultural content of Busan.
• Vincent courtenay 2019.10.25 Canadian veteran of the Korean War. Volunteered at the UN memorial cemetery for Korean War veterans and author and initiated the “Turn Toward Busan” commemoration ceremony and designed the Monument to Canadian Fallen (Korean War Monument) at the UN memorial cemetery 
• Sébastien, Guillaume, SIMON 2019.10.25 programmer of Busan International Short Film Festival. Worked as foreign programmer of Busan International Short Film Festival for 8 years. Enhanced status of the film festival by playing a pivotal role to promote Korean films to the world and conducted cooperative exchanges with prestigious film festivals around the world.
• YEO UN-TAE 2019.11.18 Commander 53rd Infantry Division. Led efforts to put out the forest fire on Unbong mountain in April 2019 and successfully mobilized available manpower in the army and equipment to extinguish the forest fire
• Darcy W. Paquet 2020.4.20 Professor of Busan Asian Film Academy and translator. Translator of the English subtitles for Director Bong Joon-ho’s critically acclaimed movie, “Parasite”. Contributed to promoting Busan as a mecca of film education in Asia
• Dawood Abdul Rahman Al-Hajri 2022.1.17 Director General of Dubai Municipality. As the Director General of Dubai Municipality, one of the sister cities of Busan, the recipient has promoted continuous friendly and cooperative relations with Busan in various fields, including the economy, culture, technology and more.

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1. Under current legislation, North Korean citizens are considered South Korean nationals, due to the ROK’s continuing claims over areas controlled by North Korea. The reverse is not true for South Koreans going North.
2. It is not to be confused with special naturalization 특별귀화 (特別歸化) under Article 7 of the Nationality Act, under which the recipient actually becomes a citizen of South Korea.
3. Ministry of Justice, Rule No. 1287, Jan. 25, 2022