Home > National > Diplomacy

What's in a name? For Taiwan and Korea, it's a sovereignty claim.

Published: 19 Mar. 2026, 18:08 Updated: 19 Mar. 2026, 18:31

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te delivers a speech after inspecting reservists operating a Taiwan made Hummer 2 Drone during a training session at Loung Te Industrial Parks Service Center in Yilan, Taiwan, on Dec. 2, 2025. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

Taiwan has replaced “Korea” with “South Korea” on residency documents issued to Korean nationals, in a reciprocal move to Seoul’s continued designation of the island state as “China (Taiwan)” on its electronic arrival forms, a move analysts say signals deeper unease over Seoul’s ties with Beijing.

The change, announced by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, took effect March 1 and applies to Alien Resident Certificates issued to Koreans living in Taiwan.

Officials in Taipei framed the decision as grounded in "the principle of reciprocity," signaling frustration with Seoul’s refusal to revise its own terminology.

Taiwanese authorities have for months urged Korea to amend how it refers to the island on its electronic arrival cards, where Taiwan appears as “China (Taiwan)” under the departure and destination fields. According to Taiwan’s foreign ministry, repeated requests from both the ministry and its representative office in Seoul have gone unanswered.

The Taiwanese ministry said public criticism at home has mounted over the issue. It urged Korea to "uphold mutual respect and equality, face Taiwan’s request and make prompt corrections." The ministry warned that if Seoul does not respond by March 31, Taiwan will expand the revised labeling to include its own electronic arrival forms.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te looks on during a press conference in Taipei, Taiwan, on Feb. 3. [EPA/YONHAP]

The dispute has unfolded against the backdrop of Taiwan’s long-standing struggle for international recognition. Beijing asserts under its “One China” principle that Taiwan is part of China, while Taiwan maintains it is an independent, sovereign entity with its own constitution and democratically elected leadership.

Taiwan has argued that Korea should follow the example of countries like the United States and Japan, which list it simply as “Taiwan” on immigration and visa forms.

Taipei began pressing the issue more forcefully last December. On Dec. 9, Liu Kun-hao, deputy director-general of the foreign ministry’s Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, signaled growing frustration, saying Taiwan would review its relations with Korea and consider possible measures.

A day later, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te added pressure, calling on Korea to “respect the will of the Taiwanese people."

Korea’s Foreign Ministry has so far taken a cautious stance. In a brief statement in December, the government said it continues to maintain its position on unofficial yet substantive cooperation with Taiwan and has handled related matters accordingly.

On Wednesday, a ministry official said the ministry is "reviewing the matter while taking various factors into account” — language that suggests no immediate change to current labeling practices.

President Lee Jae Myung, second from right, and first lady Kim Hea kyung, right, welcome Lin Hsin-i, senior advisor to Taiwan’s president, and his daughter Lin Wen-hsuan at the gala dinner reception of the 2025 APEC summit at Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang, on Oct. 31, 2025. [YONHAP]

Inside the Korean government, some officials have expressed surprise at Taiwan’s move. Seoul has used the “China (Taiwan)” designation on identification documents for long-term Taiwanese residents since 2004, and Taipei had not raised significant objections until late last year.

That long-standing practice helps explain Seoul’s reluctance to make changes now. Any shift in terminology could carry broader diplomatic consequences, particularly with China. Korea normalized relations with Beijing in 1992 and severed formal ties with Taipei, and it has since adhered to the “One China” policy recognizing the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government.

Analysts say Taiwan’s decision may reflect more than just a dispute over wording. Kang Jun-young, a professor of Chinese studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, said the move also signals concern that Seoul could draw too close to Beijing at a time when the threat of Chinese military action remains.

“At a time when Korea and China are showing signs of improving ties, Taiwan may have felt it could not remain passive,” he said. “This appears to be a signaling move to show it has taken a certain level of response toward Korea.”

Others point to domestic political considerations in Taiwan. With large-scale local elections scheduled for November, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, led by President Lai, may seek to consolidate support by appealing to voters wary of China’s influence.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY YOON JI-WON [[email protected]]