2023-06-28 06:12:40
More than 51 million people in South Korea woke up Wednesday to find themselves at least a year or two younger, according to the law.
Under the legislation that took effect Wednesday, “all judicial and administrative areas” across South Korea will adopt the “international age system” used by most of the world, ending years of debate over problems caused by the previously common use of the “Korean age system.”
What is the Korean age system?
In South Korea, society considers a child to be “one year old” on the day they are born, and a year is added every January 1. This means that Koreans are a year or two older than the rest of the world.
For example, if a child was born in December, then in January he will be “two years old” in the Korean system, when in fact he is a month old.
Why the change?
Lee Wan-kyu, Minister of State Legislation, said at a press briefing Monday that unifying the ages will “reduce various social confusions and dissensions.”
Lee said the law, which was passed by the South Korean parliament last December, is also expected to “significantly reduce social costs that were unnecessary due to the mixed use of age standards,” adding that this was a major pledge from President Yoon Sok-yul, who took over position last May.
new standard
The international age system will apply to South Korean citizens in everyday and official transactions, such as national conscription and the adoption of laws on restricted products such as tobacco and alcohol.
Many residents are likely to continue to use the traditional Korean age system in daily life and social scenarios, as is common.
But others might welcome the change. In a survey conducted by the Ministry of Government Legislation, 86.2 percent of respondents said they would use the international age system. This marks a victory for lawmakers who have spent years campaigning to unify the international age and are tired of the multiple systems.
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