Recently, I inadvertently overheard a conversation among seniors at a Korean restaurant in Annandale. One person said, "The kids are all grown up, and now I'm thinking about living in Korea." As soon as they said that, the others nodded in agreement.

I hear this conversation quite often these days, whether in church fellowship halls or at grocery store checkout lines.

So today, I want to calmly sort through the considerations of reverse immigration, that is, returning to Korea after retirement. Rather than just sharing feelings, I'll focus on the actual factors that need to be considered.

First, let's look at the numbers. According to a report analyzing the 2025 international population movement statistics from the Korean National Data Agency, there were 22,686 U.S. citizens who stayed in Korea for more than 90 days in 2025.

Among them, one in four entered with an overseas Korean (F-4) visa. This indicates a steady trend of Korean Americans staying long-term in Korea.

I also noticed an article citing data from the Ministry of Health and Welfare. It stated that the number of dual nationality seniors receiving basic pensions increased from 1,047 in 2014 to 5,699 in 2023.

Honestly, I was a bit surprised by this number. It has increased more than fivefold in less than ten years. This means that more people are returning.

So why do people want to go back? The reasons I've heard from those around me are generally similar.

The first is language. No matter how long you've lived here, understanding explanations in English at hospitals or government offices becomes increasingly burdensome as you age.

The second is healthcare costs. Anyone who has been sick in the U.S. knows that feeling of dread when looking at a medical bill.

The third is loneliness. Children scatter to different states, friends leave one by one, and there are still siblings in Korea.

However, once you start preparing, you realize there are more things to check than you expected. Let's go through them one by one.

First, the nationality issue. According to Korean nationality law, if you return to Korea and regain your nationality after the age of 65, you can maintain dual nationality without giving up your U.S. citizenship.

However, you must pledge not to exercise foreign nationality within Korea. Additionally, this application must be made within Korea, not at an overseas consulate, as stated in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs guidelines.

If you are under 65, many people typically use the F-4 visa for long-term stays. Which option is right depends on age and circumstances.

Next is Social Security. The Korea-U.S. Social Security Agreement has been in effect since April 1, 2001, and the structure is such that the U.S. pays U.S. pensions, and Korea pays Korean pensions.

If you are a U.S. citizen, you can continue to receive Social Security even while living in Korea. Fortunately, there's not much to worry about in this regard.

The real concern is Medicare. Medicare generally does not cover medical services received outside the U.S.

However, if you cancel Part B and later return to the U.S., you may face issues. There's a penalty of 10% added to your premium for every 12 months you could have enrolled but didn't.

This means you have to decide whether to continue paying for Part B while living in Korea or to cancel it altogether with the intention of not returning to the U.S. This is a significant amount of money and a big decision, especially if your children are in the U.S.

Korean health insurance is also not immediate. Since July 2019, the structure has changed so that overseas Koreans and foreigners must stay in Korea for more than six months to be automatically enrolled as local members.

If you need to go to the hospital right after arriving, you should think ahead about how to fill that gap. Many people look into travel insurance or insurance for overseas residents.

And I want to emphasize the emotional aspect. The Korea we remember is the one we left behind.

A few years ago, I spent a month in Korea and found myself standing in front of a kiosk for a long time. It felt strange to be in my home country yet feel unfamiliar, which was oddly heartbreaking.

The distance with relatives is similar. Meeting briefly during holidays is completely different from living close by every day.

So I would recommend this: don't rush to sell your house and pack your bags. Instead, try living in Korea for three to six months as a trial run.

During that time, visit hospitals, handle banking matters in person, and experience a winter. After that, it's never too late to make a decision.

Taxes, pensions, and insurance vary greatly depending on personal circumstances. Before making a decision, be sure to consult a tax advisor, an immigration attorney, and SSA representatives.

Personally, I believe that wherever you live as you age, a solid public healthcare and caregiving system is essential. That's what makes these choices less daunting.

There's no right answer whether to leave or stay. However, I believe that if you make a choice after thoroughly researching, you will have far less regret, no matter which path you take.