Taiwan Changes South Korea's Nationality Designation to 'South Korea'

Taiwan has changed the nationality designation for South Koreans on its foreign resident certificates from 'Korea' to 'South Korea' as a retaliatory measure against South Korea's country name designation issue on electronic arrival cards. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a statement on the 18th that it officially changed the nationality designation for South Koreans on foreign resident certificates from 'Korea' to 'South Korea' starting March 1st.

This measure is a reciprocal response to South Korea's classification of Taiwan as 'China (Taiwan)' in the electronic arrival card system introduced in February 2025. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it was "a measure to protect national sovereignty and the dignity of our people," warning that if there is no positive response from South Korea by the 31st, additional measures will be taken on immigration registration forms and other documents.

Name Dispute Continuing for Over a Year

This conflict began in December 2024 when Taiwan first raised the issue. At that time, Taiwan officially protested the designation of Taiwan as 'China (Taiwan)' in the departure/destination selection menu of South Korea's electronic arrival card. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Taiwan Representative Office in Seoul lodged strong protests multiple times demanding immediate correction, but the lack of clear action from the South Korean government led to this reciprocal measure.

South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that "this is a designation that has been maintained in the foreign registration and visa system since 2004, and the Taiwanese side is aware of this." An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "We are reviewing it considering various factors" and "will respond appropriately according to our basic position," but did not reveal specific plans for changes.

Taiwan and South Korea have maintained unofficial relations through mutual representative offices in each capital for economic and practical cooperation, even after South Korea severed official diplomatic relations when it established diplomatic ties with China in 1992. This designation issue goes beyond simple administrative expression and directly relates to Taiwan's sovereignty and identity issues in the geopolitical context where China regards Taiwan as its territory.

South Korea's Choice: A Diplomatic Dilemma

South Korea currently finds itself in a delicate diplomatic balance. Considering economic relations with China, the 'China (Taiwan)' designation can be interpreted as indirectly acknowledging China's 'One China' principle. On the other hand, considering practical cooperative relations with Taiwan and shared democratic values, there is also a need to accommodate Taiwan's demands.

Taiwan emphasized that this measure is "an unavoidable choice to protect national dignity and the principle of reciprocity." Diplomatic experts are paying attention to what position South Korea will take before the April 31st deadline. The designation change is expected to become not merely a technical adjustment, but a symbolic act demonstrating South Korea's diplomatic value judgment.