I am deeply passionate about the current age of majority in South Korea, as it impacts young adults heavily in terms of media consumption. Unlike most of the world where 18 is considered the age of adulthood, in South Korea, the age of majority and legal adult age is 19. This consequently affects the media rating system for films, television, and games, setting the age threshold at an inaccessible 19 for many. We urge the Ambassador of South Korea to the United States of America, Cho Hyun-dong to leverage his influence and advocate for the South Korean government to pass a new law with the National Assembly and Youth Protection Act. The goal is to lower the legal adult age from 19 to 17 with the exception of alcohol consumption and tobacco purchase, which should remain at 19 and to prompt the Korea Media Rating Board (KMRB) and Game Rating Administration Committee (GRAC) to downrate the 19 rating to 17 for films, television, online music videos, and games and the 19 rating needs to be downrated to 17 for books as well. Furthermore, we call for the parental accompaniment requirement for the 7, 12, and 15 ratings for television. The South Korean television rating system should use the new classifications:
All (모든 연령 시청가): This rating is for programming that is appropriate for all ages.
7 (7세 이상 시청가, Chilse isang sicheongga): This rating is for programming that is inappropriate for children under 7. Parental accompaniment required for persons under 7 years of age.
12 (12세 이상 시청가): This rating is for programming that is inappropriate for children under 12. Parental accompaniment required for persons under 12 years of age.
15 (15세 이상 시청가): This rating is for programming that is inappropriate for children under 15. Parental accompaniment required for persons under 15 years of age.
17 (17세 이상 시청가): This rating is for programming that is inappropriate for children under 17.
The film and video ratings for the Korea Media Rating Board (KMRB) should be divided into the new categories:
All (전체관람가 - meaning "all") – Green label: Film suitable for all ages. Video suitable for all ages.
12 (12세이상관람가 - meaning "over 12 years") – Yellow label: Film intended for audiences 12 and over. Underage audiences accompanied by a parent or guardian are allowed. Video intended for audiences 12 and over.
15 (15세이상관람가 - meaning "over 15 years") – Orange label: Film intended for audiences 15 and over. Underage audiences accompanied by a parent or guardian are allowed. Video intended for audiences 15 and over.
17 (17세이하관람불가 - meaning "not for 17 years and under") – Red label: Film intended for audiences 17 and over only. No one 17 and under will be admitted. Video intended for audiences 17 and over only.
The Game Rating and Administration Committee (GRAC) should also use four different ratings:
ALL (전체이용가): All ages can play.
12 (12세이용가): Under 12 years of age cannot play.
15 (15세이용가): Under 15 years of age cannot play.
17 (17세이하용불가): Those under 17 years of age are not allowed to play.
Lowering the age of majority would bring South Korea in line with many other countries around the world and ensure more equitable access to media for young adults. North Korea is the only country where the age of majority and legal adult age is set at 17, so if the age of majority in South Korea is lowered to 17, North and South Korea will have both age of majorities set at 17 which will be equal.
