19 Oct Southern Korea mulls ending arcane age system to fit sleep of globe
A baby is one on the day it is born, and turns two on New Year’s Day, even if it is the very next day in South Korea
When expected their age with a foreigner, numerous Southern Koreans give both their вЂKorean’ and вЂinternational’ ages. Photograph: Choi Won-Suk/AFP/Getty Images
Last modified on Sun 2 Jun 2019 16.50 BST
A South Korean MP is wanting to overturn a centuries-old tradition in which every baby turns one at the time they've been created as well as 2 from the next New Year’s Day.
The custom that is unusual a child created on New Year’s Eve becomes 2 yrs old when the clock hits midnight.
When expected their age with a foreigner, numerous Southern Koreans give both their “Korean age” and age” that is“international followed closely by a conclusion that invariably actually leaves the questioner confused.
The system’s origins are confusing. One theory is switching twelve months old at delivery takes into account time invested when you look at the womb – with nine months rounded as much as 12. other people link it to a historical Asian system that is numerical would not have the thought of zero.
Explanations when it comes to extra 12 months added on 1 January are far more complicated.
Some professionals point out the idea that ancient Koreans put their 12 months of delivery inside the Chinese 60-year calendar cycle, but, at the same time whenever there have been no regular calendars, had a tendency to disregard the time of these delivery and merely included on an entire 12 months regarding the first time regarding the lunar calendar.