In this April 9, 2019, photo, Lee Dong Kil's daughter Lee Yoon Seol sits to celebrate her the 100th day of the birth at Lee's house in Daejeon, South Korea. Just two hours after Lee’s daughter was born on New Year’s Eve, the clock struck midnight, 2019 was ushered in, and the infant became 2-years-old. She wasn’t alone, though it happened for her quicker than most: Every baby born in South Korea last year became 2 on Jan. 1.
For parents whose babies are born in December, it can be especially painful. One hour after his daughter’s birth in the central city of Daejeon at 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 of last year, Lee posted the news on social media. His friends immediately showered him with congratulatory messages. This may have then shifted to the solar New Year on Jan. 1 as the South began embracing the Western calendar. North Korea uses the Western age calculating system, but they have a twist: they follow their own calendar that’s based on the birth of national founder and president-for-life Kim Il Sung.
Some South Koreans still worry that the practice makes their nation look odd on the international stage. Some feel confusion when meeting with foreigners. Associated Press journalists in Seoul must ask Koreans what year and month they were born to calculate their Western age for news stories. Parents whose babies are born in December often worry about their kids falling behind other children born earlier in the same year, though worries gradually disappear as their children age.
In January, lawmaker Hwang Ju-hong tabled a bill aimed at requiring the government to put international ages in official documents and encouraging general citizens to go with their international ages in everyday life. It’s the first legislative attempt to abolish “Korean age.”
It’s an ancient Chinese tradition
I thought they were supposed to be smart
Makes sense.
Teaching fake elevated social standing from birth 👍🏼
That's not how years work.
I’m still wrapping my head around this notion. 2 hours to me, is still 2 hours. Anyway you shake it. 😂
AjukaRosemary this chinchong people, dia tinz r always weird. mschew
'Lee Dong Kil' what a name
Well that is simply not how numbers work.
Like horses 🐎!
What about baby who was born on 29th of February? They will have their 2nd birthday in the next 4 years.
WHAT
Crazy
“Being 1 upon birth may be linked to the time babies spend in their mothers’ wombs” huhhhhh of course it does. You pro-aborts can see logic in anything. Every ancient culture cherished children. We seek to sacrifice them on the altar of convenience.
The Trump University method of telling time.
That system makes them eligible to run The Kentucky Derby
Someone please pass this article on to Roy Moore...
Weird and in dire need of reform.
Awesome when you’re a teenager. Agonizing when you’re only 28, but because the day you were born you’re considered 30.
Tip: When getting someone to prepare your yearly income tax, be to sure to ask if they're from South Korea.
I like the part were it talks about the year of being inside and growing
no they dont.....
That's nuthin'. Imagine what happens during a leap year!
Huh?
This is not news, AP. Why are you reporting on such nonsense?
My 2 year old turned 16 the day after her birthday.
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