Han says he and his family do not have dual nationality

Taipei, Jan. 8 (CNA) Opposition Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Han Kuo-yu (韓國瑜) affirmed Wednesday that he and his whole family have only Republic of China (Taiwan) citizenship and do not hold dual nationality, while pledging to resign if he wins Saturday's presidential election and is found to have lied.

"Me and my whole family hold only one nationality; that's the Republic of China," Han told reporters.

Han made the remarks when asked to comment on a report in a Chinese-language tabloid magazine that day which quoted an unidentified source claiming Han planned to emigrate to Canada and apply for residency in 2017 but was talked out of doing so after he decided to run for Kaohsiung mayor in 2018.

Asked to comment, the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, which represents Canadian interests in Taiwan in the absence of diplomatic ties, told reporters that it does not comment on individual cases under privacy laws.

Individuals with dual nationality are barred from serving as Taiwan's president according to article 27 of the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act.

Although the act does not bar those holding foreign permanent residency from serving as the nation's president it is common practice for candidates to give up permanent residency in other countries before running.