Did you know that in the traditional Korean age system, when a baby is born they are considered one year old…and each year their age increases by one year on January 1 instead of on their birthdate? So technically, a baby born on December 31 is One Year Old at birth, and on January 1 (the following day), they turn Two Years Old! So on January 2, this baby who was born just two days old is now considered two years old! This is based on the concept that a child is already considered to have completed one year of life while still in the womb, as Koreans traditionally count the time spent in the womb as part of a person’s age.

In Korea, age has a lot of cultural significance. In the traditional system, age is an important factor in how people speak to one another and what kind of respect is shown. Younger people use formal language when addressing older people, a practice deeply embedded in Korean culture. This system of addressing others based on age is part of a concept known as jeong, which refers to the deep sense of respect and familial ties that bind Korean society. The traditional age system plays a major role in maintaining this structure.

So…

  1. At birth, everyone is considered 1 year old – this includes the time spent in the mother’s womb.
  2. Age increases on New Year’s Day – this is the main difference between the traditional and international systems. A person’s age doesn’t increase on their birthday but instead, on the first day of the new year.

In June 2023, South Korea took a giant step by passing a law to standardize the international age system in legal matters. This means that official documents, contracts, and public records now use the international age system. However, the law doesn’t apply to everything, and for things like entering school, military service, or buying alcohol and tobacco, the traditional system is still used.

The change was made to reduce confusion, especially when different age systems were causing issues. For example, during the pandemic, there were times when health officials used different systems for COVID-19 vaccinations, leading to people being told they were either eligible or ineligible based on conflicting age standards.

In spite of modern updates, the traditional age system is still an important and cherished part of Korean culture. It represents both the country’s history and also respect for where people stand in society. While it may seem confusing at first, the system is based in ancient customs that shape how Koreans view age, respect, and relationships within their communities.

If you’re wondering what your “Korean” age is, but are not confident in your mathing, you can use an online Korean age calculator. In international age, I’m 64 (born in 1960). In Korean age, I’m 66!!! No, thank you!

Happy New Year! 새해 복 많이 받으세요 ~ May the new year bring you much luck/blessings.