81.6% of Respondents Say "The Amendment to Unify Age Calculation Should Be Processed Quickly"
Minister of Legislation: "We Will Actively Work to Ensure the Unified Age Calculation Bill Passes in the Regular National Assembly"
According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Government Legislation on the 'Unified International Age System,' 81.6% (5,216 out of 6,394 respondents) expressed support for the prompt enactment of the unified international age system bill. [Photo by Ministry of Government Legislation]
[Asia Economy Culture Young Intern Reporter] A survey revealed that 8 out of 10 citizens support the amendment of the Civil Act and the Framework Act on Administration to unify the age standard to 'international age' (man-nai).
On the 22nd, the Ministry of Government Legislation announced the results of a public opinion survey on 'unifying international age' conducted on the People's Petition Board from the 5th to the 18th for 14 days. Among a total of 6,394 respondents, 81.6% (5,216 people) agreed that the amendment bills to the 'Civil Act' and the 'Framework Act on Administration' to unify international age should be promptly processed. These bills were proposed in April and May and are currently pending in the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee.
The main reasons respondents supported unifying international age included ▲resolving confusion and inconvenience caused by various age calculation methods ▲expectations to break the hierarchical culture stemming from the traditional Korean age system ▲alignment with international standards ▲and lowering perceived age.
Regarding whether they intend to use international age in daily life after the bills are passed and implemented, 86.2% (5,511 people) of respondents said they would use it. When asked if they were aware of the proposed amendments to the Civil Act and the Framework Act on Administration related to unifying international age, 68% responded that they knew about it.
Lee Wankyu, head of the Ministry of Government Legislation, said, "We will actively strive to ensure that the bills related to unifying international age are passed during this regular session of the National Assembly." He added, "Once passed, we will actively conduct public campaigns to facilitate early adoption of international age usage, and next year, we plan to revise individual laws that currently stipulate age by year."
Meanwhile, in Korea, there are currently three age calculation methods: 'Korean age' (se-neun nai), 'international age' (man-nai), and 'year age' (current year minus birth year). This has caused social confusion and inconvenience among the public.
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