Say "Companion Animal Public Etiquette" Instead of "Petiquette"

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Institute of the Korean Language recommended on May 26 that the term "Petiquette" be referred to in Korean as "Companion Animal Public Etiquette." They also suggested replacing "platform labor" and "gap year" with the Korean terms "(online) intermediary labor" and "filling period," respectively.

"Petiquette" refers to the public etiquette that should be observed when accompanied by a companion animal. "Platform labor" describes work performed irregularly through digital platforms such as mobile apps, social networking services, and websites, without entering into an employment contract. "Gap year" means a period during which a person temporarily suspends studies or work to travel, volunteer, reflect on themselves, and explore career options.

The Ministry and the Institute selected these alternative terms at the "New Words Meeting" held from May 18 to 20. The "New Words Meeting" is a committee that provides easy-to-understand Korean alternatives for difficult foreign neologisms before they become widespread. Experts from various fields, including Korean language, foreign languages, education, public relations and publishing, information and communications, and media, participate in the committee. The Ministry and the Institute plan to continue promoting the use of these alternatives, encouraging government agencies and media outlets to take the lead.