Millions become a year or two younger as South Korea scraps traditional way of counting age

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Millions become a year or two younger as South Korea scraps traditional way of counting age

South Korea switches to the international way of counting age, starting from 0 at birth and adding 1 on every birthday, instead of starting from 1 at birth and adding 1 on Jan 1st every year.

There is yet another system used in South Korea for conscription, school entrance and calculating the legal age to drink alcohol and smoke - start from 0 at birth and add 1 on every Jan 1st. This one's still in effect though.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/south-korea-year-younger-traditional-way-counting-age-scrapped-rcna91609Open link View original on kbin.social

Comments4

4 replies

jerome

kbin.social

Everyone gets to add a year to their age after January?

Born in december, you're 2 years old in january. wack.

CharrDude992

kbin.social

Must have been nice not needing to remember birthdays..

JickleMithers reply

kbin.social

Just think of all the presents you have to buy Jan 1st

NotMyOldRedditName

kbin.social

Another age system exists in South Korea for conscription, school entrance and calculating the legal age to drink alcohol and smoke: a person’s age is calculated from zero at birth and a year is added on Jan. 1. Officials said that method would remain for the time being

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