https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/east-asia/south-korea-new-age-system-2023-b2364809.html Jump to content US EditionChange UK EditionAsia EditionEdicion en Espanol Sign up to our newslettersSubscribe {{indy.truncatedName}} Log in / Register Pride Month SubscribeMenu * News + News + US + US election 2024 + UK + Europe + World + US Politics + UK Politics + Health + Business + Science + Space + News Videos * Sports + Sports + US Sports + Soccer + Formula 1 + UFC + Rugby Union + Cricket + Tennis + Boxing + Cycling + Golf + Sports Videos * Voices + Voices + Editorials + Letters * Culture + Culture + Movies + TV & Radio + Music + Games + Books + Art + Photography + Theatre & Dance + Culture Videos * Lifestyle + Lifestyle + Tech + Money + Food & Drink + Fashion + Love & Sex + Women + Health & Families + Royal Family + Motoring + Electric Vehicles + Lifestyle Videos * Travel + Travel + News & Advice + Simon Calder + USA & Canada + UK + Europe + Asia + Inspiration + City Guides + Sustainable Travel * Premium + Premium + Editorials + Voices + Long Reads + Politics Explained + News Analysis More Best * Home & Garden * Tech * Fashion & Beauty * Food & Drink * Kids * Books * Travel & Outdoors * Sports & Fitness * Deals Climate * News * Voices * Sustainable Living * Explained * Climate Videos * Electric vehicles * SGI TV * Behind The Headlines * On The Ground * Decomplicated * You Ask The Questions * Binge Or Bin * Millennial Love * Watch on your TV * Indy100 * Crosswords & Puzzles * Most Commented * Newsletters * Ask Me Anything * Virtual Events * Vouchers * Compare Thank you for registering Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in AsiaEast Asia South Koreans are set to become younger, thanks to new law South Korea adopts new law to join the international standard of age counting Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Tuesday 27 June 2023 15:31 Comments Article bookmarked Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile [ ]Don't show me this message again

Pedestrians walk across a road in Seoul

Pedestrians walk across a road in Seoul (AFP via Getty Images) For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails [ ] Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP [ ]I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} South Koreans will become at least a year younger from Wednesday as the nation adopts a new law to join the international standard of age counting. All judicial and administrative areas in the country will begin using the international standard or calendar age, a year after the National Assembly announced the move in an effort to reduce confusion. South Koreans traditionally use the "Korean age system", where the newborn is considered one year old at the time of the birth and then gains a year on the first day of each new year. Elsewhere, a baby's age is calculated from zero at birth. The government is fulfilling a campaign promise made by president Yoon Suk Yeol that was backed by public opinion. Recommended * Japan to reinstate South Korea as preferred trade nation from July 21 as two sides improve ties * Fukushima nuclear plant operator says equipment to release treated wastewater into sea is complete * Cabin crew restrain 19-year-old passenger with 'lasso rope and tie wraps' after he tries to open plane door "The revision is aimed at reducing unnecessary socioeconomic costs because legal and social disputes, as well as confusion, persist due to the different ways of calculating age," Yoo Sang-bum, a member of the ruling People Power partym had told parliament last year. Other Asian countries, including Japan and Vietnam, abandoned the Chinese-style age system following an influx of Western culture decades ago. South Koreans won't need to update any documents or IDs since the age used for government forms is based on the international system, according to Bloomberg. The mandatory military service and school admissions follow the calendar age which takes into account the year of birth. However, the legal age for buying liquor or cigarettes will remain the same as before, authorities said. Recommended * Thousands of North Koreans march against 'imperialist US' on Korean War anniversary * Asia's tallest known tree found hidden in Tibet * Cabin crew restrain teenager with 'lasso rope' after he tries to open plane door The definition of minors not allowed to purchase liquor and tobacco will remain the same at below 19 under the Youth Protection Act, the family ministry said on Tuesday. That means, only those born in 2004 or earlier can buy liquor or cigarettes. The legal age at which children go to elementary schools will also remain the same under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. More about National AssemblySouth Koreanewborn Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments 1/1South Koreans are set to become younger, thanks to a new law South Koreans are set to become younger, thanks to a new law Pedestrians walk across a road in Seoul AFP via Getty Images Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Subscribe Already subscribed? 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