More than 51 million people in South Korea awoke on Wednesday to find themselves a year or two younger – at least, according to the law.

Under legislation that came into effect Wednesday, “all judicial and administrative areas” across the East Asian country will adopt the “international age” system used by most of the world, ending years of debate about the problems caused by the formerly common use of “Korean age” and “calendar age.”

Standardizing ages will “reduce various social confusions and disputes,” said Lee Wan-kyu, the Minister of Government Legislation, at a news briefing on Monday.

The law, passed by South Korea’s Parliament last December, is also expected to “greatly reduce social costs that have been unnecessary due to the mixed use of age standards,” Lee said, adding this had been a major pledge by President Yoon Suk-yeol, who took office last May.

Three systems

In South Korea, “international age” refers to the number of years since a person was born, and starts at zero – the same system used in most other countries

But when asked their age in informal settings, most South Koreans will answer with their “Korean age,” which could be one or even two years older than their international age.

Under this system, which has its roots in China, babies are considered a year old on the day they’re born, with a year added every January 1.

In some circumstances, South Koreans also use their “calendar age” – a mash-up of international age and Korean age – which consider babies as zero years old on the day they’re born and adds a year to their age every January 1.

Take “Gangnam Style” singer Psy, for example. Born on December 31, 1977, he is considered 45 by international age; 46 by calendar year age; and 47 by Korean age.

If this sounds confusing, it is, with daily life in the country often switching between the hodgepodge of different systems.

Even with the new standardization, the old systems will still be used in some circumstances, the government said on Wednesday.

For instance, children typically enter elementary school in March of the year after they turn 6 years old (in international age), regardless of which month their birthday falls – which will continue.

Laws on age-restricted products like alcohol or tobacco will also be based on the year someone is born, regardless of month. This means two people born in January and December 1990 are judged to be the same age.

Under this law, people are allowed to buy alcohol starting in the year they turn 19 (in international age).

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/06/27/asia/south-korea-drops-korean-age-intl-hnk/index.html

Na wa oo

Some policies truly exist in some countries.

Same thing here in Nigeria: we have political, football and working age.

I remember a former governor in my state who malted his 70th birthday, while his immediate younger brother to mark his own 72nd birthday few months later.

Football age is the reason footballers of African descent will have a tired leg at age 29 while their European counterparts will still be active till age 40.

How many of the class of Messi in holland 2005 u”U-20 World Cup are still active in our super eagles?

What a system. We have our own too it is called football age. You see an old papa in FRSC still working and claiming under 65.

Interesting

Needless confusion. How can you be 1yr old, immediately you are born.

&If you were born 11:55pm on 31st Dec, 5mins later you become 2yrs. No be juju be dat?

We have a freewill of determining our own age in Nigeria...Just swear an affidavit to your new age and you are good to go.😁

ManWater:
Needless confusion. How can you be 1yr old, immediately you are born.

And 2 years old by January 1

So many wonders dey happen for South Korea

ManWater:
Needless confusion. How can you be 1yr old, immediately you are born.

Life begins at fertilisation.

Melezenawii:

And 2 years old by January 1

Imagine that.
If you were born on Dec 31, the next day Jan 1st, you become 2yrs.
A day old baby becoming 2yrs. That's crazy.

ManWater:

Imagine that.
If you were born on Dec 31, the next day Jan 1st, you become 2yrs.
A day old baby becoming 2yrs. That's crazy.

Very Correct

Praxis758:
Same thing here in Nigeria: we have political, football and working age.

I remember a former governor in my state who malted his 70th birthday, while his immediate younger brother to mark his own 72nd birthday few months later.

Football age is the reason footballers of African descent will have a tired leg at age 29 while their European counterparts will still be active till age 40.

How many of the class of Messi in holland 2005 u”U-20 World Cup are still active in our super eagles?

How many of the ckass of Messi in Holland u20 WC are still playing for Argentina?

Wonderment!

God i need us to reach hear....

ManWater:
Needless confusion. How can you be 1yr old, immediately you are born.

&If you were born 11:55pm on 31st Dec, 5mins later you become 2yrs. That's crazy.

I think they are adding the 9 months spent in the womb

Not bad so far the law does not stop me from eating any time I need to

PureFace1:


I think they are adding the 9 months spent in the womb

What of premature babies eg of 6months?
Then every Jan 1st, you add 1 year.

Na wah!

My President will be how many years now.. according to some people.