South Koreans have become one to two years younger with the implementation of new laws mandating the exclusive use of the international method for calculating age, replacing the traditional method used in the country. Under the most common age system in South Korean life, every person is considered one year old at birth, and a year is added on January 1 of each year.
Since the early 1960s, the country has used the international standard of starting from zero at birth and adding a year on each birthday for medical and legal documents. However, many South Koreans continued to use the traditional method in all other matters.
In December, South Korea enacted laws to abolish the traditional method and fully adopt the international standard.
Government Legislation Minister Lee Wan Kyu expects "a significant reduction in legal disputes, complaints, and social unrest caused by how ages are calculated."
A government survey conducted in September 2022 found that 86% of South Koreans stated they would use the international age calculation once the new laws come into effect.
