Stephen: South Koreans will become a year younger thanks to new parliamentary ruling

In Canada, we celebrate our birthdays on the day we were born with our 1st birthdays coming after our first full year on earth. In South Korea, age is counted a bit differently… at least, until this coming June. A new parliamentary ruling in South Korea could result in many residents shaving a year off their age. Most citizens of South Korea abide by “Korean age” rules, which says a person is considered 1 year old at the time of their birth and then gain a year on New Year’s Day.

However, the country’s National Assembly has just passed legislation that would require the use of the international age system, which is what we use in Canada. NPR reports that the bill has overwhelming support among the country’s citizens, with over 80% supporting the change and even more saying they would go by their age according to their birth date. And who wouldn’t? If you could shave a year off your age, you might jump at the chance. For those in South Korea who were born on December 31st, they are set to become two years younger.