Understanding Age in South Korea: How Old is 18 Really?
Explore the age systems in South Korea and how an 18-year-old is considered older based on traditional norms.
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An 18-year-old in the international age system is considered either 19 or 20 years old in South Korea. This is due to Korea's traditional age system, where individuals are one year old at birth and gain another year on New Year's Day. Additionally, in recent times, global age norms are increasingly being adopted within the country.
FAQs & Answers
- Why is age counted differently in South Korea? Age is calculated differently in South Korea due to a traditional system where individuals start at one and gain a year on New Year's Day.
- What age system do most countries use? Most countries use the international age system, where age is counted from the day of birth.
- Is the Korean age system changing? Yes, there is a shift towards adopting the international age system in South Korea, especially among younger generations.