South Korea's Age-Counting Law Reversal Makes South Koreans Appear Younger
South Korea has officially adopted the international standard for age counting, which starts at zero at birth and adds a year after every birthday. The previous system, which counted a year at birth and added one every January 1, caused confusion and legal disputes. The change aims to align with global practices and eliminate discrepancies in insurance claims and social welfare eligibility. While the transition has been smooth, it may take time for age-sensitive aspects of social life to adjust. The new system does not affect the legal age for buying alcohol or cigarettes, which remains based on the year one turns 19.