Understanding terms related to nationality and legal status is crucial, especially in administrative or legal contexts in Korea. This guide focuses on the Korean term for “stateless,” 무국적 (mu-guk-jeok), providing essential vocabulary and phrases to navigate situations involving nationality status. You’ll learn the core term, related vocabulary, practical sentences, and cultural context surrounding statelessness in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
- Expression: 무국적
Pronunciation: mu-guk-jeok
Meaning: Statelessness / Without nationality (Literally: no-country-nationality)
Related Vocabulary
This section covers terms frequently associated with nationality and legal status in Korea.
- Expression: 국적
Pronunciation: guk-jeok
Meaning: Nationality - Expression: 국적법
Pronunciation: guk-jeok-beop
Meaning: Nationality Law - Expression: 국적 상실
Pronunciation: guk-jeok sang-sil
Meaning: Loss of nationality - Expression: 국적 취득
Pronunciation: guk-jeok chwi-deuk
Meaning: Acquisition of nationality - Expression: 무국적자
Pronunciation: mu-guk-jeok-ja
Meaning: Stateless person - Expression: 난민
Pronunciation: nan-min
Meaning: Refugee - Expression: 망명
Pronunciation: mang-myeong
Meaning: Asylum - Expression: 체류 자격
Pronunciation: che-ryu ja-gyeok
Meaning: Status of residence / Visa status - Expression: 외국인 등록증
Pronunciation: oe-gu-gin deung-nok-jeung
Meaning: Alien Registration Card (ARC) - Expression: 출입국·외국인청 (or 출입국관리사무소)
Pronunciation: chu-rip-guk oe-gu-gin-cheong (or chu-rip-guk-gwan-ri-sa-mu-so)
Meaning: Korea Immigration Service (or Immigration Office) - Expression: 인권
Pronunciation: in-kwon
Meaning: Human rights - Expression: 보호
Pronunciation: bo-ho
Meaning: Protection
Basic Phrases
Here are fundamental sentences using the term “무국적”.
- Expression: 저는 무국적자입니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun mu-guk-jeok-ja-im-ni-da
Meaning: I am a stateless person. - Expression: 그 사람은 현재 무국적 상태입니다.
Pronunciation: geu sa-ram-eun hyeon-jae mu-guk-jeok sang-tae-im-ni-da
Meaning: That person is currently in a state of statelessness. - Expression: 무국적자의 권리는 무엇입니까?
Pronunciation: mu-guk-jeok-ja-ui gwon-ri-neun mu-eo-sim-ni-kka?
Meaning: What are the rights of a stateless person? - Expression: 무국적 증명서 발급이 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: mu-guk-jeok jeung-myeong-seo bal-geu-bi ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to issue a certificate of statelessness? - Expression: 그녀는 국적을 잃고 무국적이 되었습니다.
Pronunciation: geu-nyeo-neun guk-jeo-geul il-ko mu-gu-jeo-gi doe-eot-seum-ni-da
Meaning: She lost her nationality and became stateless. - Expression: 무국적 아동의 교육 문제가 심각합니다.
Pronunciation: mu-guk-jeok a-dong-ui gyo-yuk mun-je-ga sim-ga-kam-ni-da
Meaning: The educational problem of stateless children is serious. - Expression: 국제법은 무국적자 보호를 규정하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: guk-je-beo-beun mu-guk-jeok-ja bo-ho-reul gyu-jeong-ha-go it-seum-ni-da
Meaning: International law stipulates the protection of stateless persons. - Expression: 무국적 상태를 해결하기 위해 노력하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: mu-guk-jeok sang-tae-reul hae-gyeol-ha-gi wi-hae no-ryeo-ka-go it-seum-ni-da
Meaning: We are striving to resolve the state of statelessness. - Expression: 한국 내 무국적자 지원 단체가 있습니다.
Pronunciation: han-guk nae mu-guk-jeok-ja ji-won dan-che-ga it-seum-ni-da
Meaning: There are support groups for stateless persons within Korea. - Expression: 무국적 관련 법률 상담을 받고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: mu-guk-jeok gwan-ryeon beom-nyul sang-dam-eul bat-go sip-seum-ni-da
Meaning: I would like to receive legal consultation regarding statelessness. - Expression: 그의 신분은 무국적입니다.
Pronunciation: geu-ui sin-bu-neun mu-guk-jeo-gim-ni-da
Meaning: His status is stateless. - Expression: 무국적 문제 해결을 위한 국제 협력이 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: mu-guk-jeok mun-je hae-gyeo-reul wi-han guk-je hyeom-nyeok-i pi-ryo-ham-ni-da
Meaning: International cooperation is needed to solve the problem of statelessness.
Administrative and Legal Phrases
These phrases are useful in official settings like immigration offices or legal consultations.
- Expression: 국적 증명 서류를 제출해 주십시오.
Pronunciation: guk-jeok jeung-myeong seo-ryu-reul je-chul-hae ju-sip-si-o
Meaning: Please submit documents proving your nationality. - Expression: 현재 보유하고 있는 국적이 어디입니까?
Pronunciation: hyeon-jae bo-yu-ha-go it-neun guk-jeo-gi eo-di-im-ni-kka?
Meaning: What is the nationality you currently hold? - Expression: 저는 특정 국가의 국적이 없습니다. 무국적 상태입니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun teuk-jeong guk-ga-ui guk-jeo-gi eop-seum-ni-da. mu-guk-jeok sang-tae-im-ni-da
Meaning: I do not have the nationality of any specific country. I am in a state of statelessness. - Expression: 무국적자임을 입증할 공식 문서가 있습니까?
Pronunciation: mu-guk-jeok-ja-im-eul ip-jeung-hal gong-sik mun-seo-ga it-seum-ni-kka?
Meaning: Do you have official documents to prove you are stateless? - Expression: 체류 자격 변경을 신청하려고 합니다.
Pronunciation: che-ryu ja-gyeok byeon-gyeong-eul sin-cheong-ha-ryeo-go ham-ni-da
Meaning: I intend to apply for a change in my status of residence. - Expression: 대한민국에서 무국적자의 법적 지위는 어떻게 규정되어 있습니까?
Pronunciation: dae-han-min-gu-ge-seo mu-guk-jeok-ja-ui beop-jeok ji-wi-neun eo-tteo-ke gyu-jeong-doe-eo it-seum-ni-kka?
Meaning: How is the legal status of a stateless person defined in the Republic of Korea? - Expression: 자세한 사항은 출입국·외국인청에 문의해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: ja-se-han sa-hang-eun chu-rip-guk oe-gu-gin-cheong-e mu-nui-hae-ya ham-ni-da
Meaning: You need to inquire at the Korea Immigration Service for details. - Expression: 현재 난민 인정 심사 절차를 진행 중입니다.
Pronunciation: hyeon-jae nan-min in-jeong sim-sa jeol-cha-reul ji-haeng jung-im-ni-da
Meaning: I am currently undergoing the refugee status determination process. - Expression: 제 아이는 한국에서 태어났지만 무국적입니다.
Pronunciation: je a-i-neun han-gu-ge-seo tae-eo-nat-ji-man mu-guk-jeo-gim-ni-da
Meaning: My child was born in Korea but is stateless. - Expression: 인도적 차원에서 특별 체류 허가를 받을 수 있는지 궁금합니다.
Pronunciation: in-do-jeok cha-won-e-seo teuk-byeol che-ryu heo-ga-reul ba-deul su it-neun-ji gung-geum-ham-ni-da
Meaning: I wonder if I can receive special permission to stay on humanitarian grounds. - Expression: 무국적자 등록 절차에 대해 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: mu-guk-jeok-ja deung-nok jeol-cha-e dae-hae al-lyeo-ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please inform me about the registration procedure for stateless persons. - Expression: 변호사와 상담하여 법적 조언을 구했습니다.
Pronunciation: byeo-no-sa-wa sang-dam-ha-yeo beop-jeok jo-eo-neul gu-haet-seum-ni-da
Meaning: I consulted with a lawyer and sought legal advice.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding the context of statelessness in Korea involves legal and social aspects.
- Nationality Law Basis: South Korea primarily follows jus sanguinis (right of blood). This means nationality is generally passed down from parents to children, regardless of the child’s place of birth. Being born in Korea does not automatically grant Korean nationality if the parents are not Korean nationals.
- Causes of Statelessness: Statelessness in Korea can arise from various situations, including conflicts in nationality laws between countries, loss or deprivation of nationality without acquiring another, or issues related to birth registration for children born to foreign parents whose home countries do not automatically grant citizenship based on birth abroad.
- Distinction from Refugees: While some stateless individuals might also be refugees (난민 – nan-min), the terms are distinct. Statelessness refers specifically to the lack of nationality, whereas refugee status relates to fleeing persecution.
- Legal Framework: Korea has legal provisions under the Nationality Act and Immigration Act to address statelessness. The Korea Immigration Service (출입국·외국인청) handles cases related to stateless persons, including identification and determination of status.
- Social Awareness: While awareness is increasing, statelessness remains a relatively hidden issue in Korea. NGOs and human rights organizations play a vital role in advocating for the rights and protection of stateless individuals and families.
Real Conversation Example
This dialogue simulates an inquiry at an immigration office.
- Situation: A person visits the Korea Immigration Service to inquire about their status.
- Role A: Immigration Officer (출입국·외국인청 직원 – chu-rip-guk oe-gu-gin-cheong jik-won)
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Role B: Person inquiring about stateless status (민원인 – min-won-in)
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Expression: A: 안녕하십니까? 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-sim-ni-kka? mu-eo-seul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Hello. How may I help you? - Expression: B: 네, 제 신분 상태에 대해 문의하고 싶습니다. 저는 국적이 없는 무국적자입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, je sin-bun sang-tae-e dae-hae mu-nui-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da. jeo-neun guk-jeo-gi eom-neun mu-guk-jeok-ja-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I’d like to inquire about my identity status. I am a stateless person without nationality. - Expression: A: 그러시군요. 혹시 무국적 상태임을 증명할 수 있는 서류를 가지고 계십니까? 예를 들어, 출신 국가 대사관의 확인서 같은 것이요.
Pronunciation: geu-reo-si-gun-yo. hok-si mu-guk-jeok sang-tae-im-eul jeung-myeong-hal su it-neun seo-ryu-reul ga-ji-go gye-sim-ni-kka? ye-reul deu-reo, chul-sin guk-ga dae-sa-gwan-ui hwa-gin-seo ga-teun geo-si-yo.
Meaning: I see. Do you happen to have any documents that can prove your stateless status? For example, a confirmation letter from the embassy of your country of origin. - Expression: B: 관련해서 몇 가지 서류가 있습니다. 이 서류들을 확인해 주시고, 제가 한국에서 어떤 절차를 밟아야 하는지 상담받고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: gwan-ryeon-hae-seo myeot ga-ji seo-ryu-ga it-seum-ni-da. i seo-ryu-deu-reul hwa-gin-hae ju-si-go, je-ga han-gu-ge-seo eo-tteon jeol-cha-reul bal-ba-ya ha-neun-ji sang-dam-bat-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have some related documents. Please check these documents, and I would like to receive consultation on what procedures I need to follow in Korea. - Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다. 서류 먼저 확인해 보겠습니다. 이쪽에서 잠시만 기다려 주십시오. 담당 부서에 연결해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. seo-ryu meon-jeo hwa-gin-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da. i-jjo-ge-seo jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-sip-si-o. dam-dang bu-seo-e yeon-gyeol-hae deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, understood. I will check the documents first. Please wait here for a moment. I will connect you to the relevant department. - Expression: B: 네, 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, thank you.
Practice Tips
Familiarizing yourself with terms like 무국적 (mu-guk-jeok) is important for specific legal or administrative situations! Try reviewing the vocabulary list and practice pronouncing the phrases clearly~ Pay attention to the syllable breaks: mu-guk-jeok. Imagine scenarios where you might need to explain or understand this status. Consistent practice will help you use these terms accurately when needed! Keep up the great work!~
