Korea should expand dual citizenship for its overseas diaspora to help counter the country's population decline, a senior official at the Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA) said Tuesday, urging the government to treat ethnic Koreans abroad as strategic partners rather than subjects of regulatory control. “Considering our current demographic challenges, Korea should allow dual citizenship for Korean diasporas, who share Korea’s historical and cultural identity, for a better future for the country,” OKA Vice Commissioner Kim Min-cheol said during a press briefing. "In line with global standards, the basic philosophy of the OKA is clear; Korea must proactively embrace the diaspora of 8 million, recognizing them as both citizens and strategic partners of Korea ... It is time for Korea to redefine what nationality means." He pointed to Japan as a cautionary example, warning that Korea risks repeating its neighbor's prolonged economic stagnation if the population continues to shrink. To tackle the diaspora issue, Kim called for a fundamental shift in approach, saying past policy had treated r