South Korea: South Korea’s new age-counting system, abandoning its old and unpopular method, has resulted in every South Korean being instantly considered a year or two younger. Previously, individuals were considered one year old at birth, with an additional year added every January 1. This peculiar custom meant that a baby born on New Year’s Eve would be considered two years old as soon as midnight struck.

The revised system now aligns with the internationally accepted method of age calculation for most administrative and civil matters, including official documents and contracts. The change was approved by the national assembly in December, aiming to address the social confusion caused by the mixed use of age calculations and their associated complications.

While the global standard has been followed for medical and legal documents since the 1960s, other official forms in South Korea continue to utilise the traditional method. This practise has faced criticism in recent years, with politicians arguing that it creates confusion and portrays South Korea, a global powerhouse in technology and culture, as out of sync with the rest of the world.

The President Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol, said the existing arrangements were a drain on the country’s resources. In a poll last year, more than 70 percent of respondents said they agreed with the change.

While some people are expected to continue using the traditional method in informal settings, 86 percent of South Koreans said they would adopt the international system in their everyday lives when the new law takes effect, according to a government survey conducted in September 2022.

But the change will not suddenly deprive people of the right to legally buy cigarettes or alcohol, change the year in which they enter compulsory education, or make them eligible for up to 21 months of national service, a legal requirement for all able-bodied men.

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