South Korea Adopts New Age-Counting System
Background
South Korea has traditionally used three distinct systems for determining age: Korean age, year age, and international age. This has often led to confusion, both within the country and internationally.
The New Age Law
On Wednesday, South Korea officially adopted the “international age” system, which dictates that babies are born at 0 years old and gain a year every birthday. This system is already used in most legal and official contexts in South Korea, but the new law standardizes its use across the board.
Reasons for the Change
According to Lee Wan-kyu, the minister of government legislation, the new law is expected to reduce legal disputes, complaints, and social confusion caused by the different age-counting systems.
Impact on South Korean Culture
South Korea has a hierarchical culture that is closely tied to age. Some South Koreans are uncomfortable with deviations from the traditional age-counting systems, as they can affect relationships and social status.
However, others believe that the new law will weaken these cultural forces and promote a more egalitarian society. They hope that it will reduce ageism and make it easier for younger people to succeed in the workplace and other areas of life.
Exceptions to the New Law
Even under the new law, age will still be determined by year, regardless of month, in certain cases. These cases include:
- Sales of age-restricted products like alcohol or tobacco
- Enrollment in elementary school and in the country’s mandatory military service
Reactions from South Koreans
Many South Koreans are happy with the new law. They say it makes them feel younger and more in line with the rest of the world.
“I was about to turn 30 next year [under the Korean age system], but now I have some more time earned and I love it,” said Choi Hyun-ji, a 27-year-old office worker in Seoul.
Others are more cautious about the impact of the new law on South Korean culture. They worry that it could lead to a loss of respect for elders and a decline in traditional values.
“People in Korea don’t like having a younger person be their superior at work,” said Yoon In-jin, a sociologist at Korea University. “I doubt that significant shifts are imminent.”
Conclusion
The new age law in South Korea is a significant change that is likely to have a major impact on the country’s culture and society. It remains to be seen how the law will be implemented and enforced, and what the long-term effects will be.