From as early as 2003, the legal age of adults under civil law will be lowered from the current 20 to 19, while parents will be held responsible for the unlawful acts of their children. These measures are part of a revision of civil law drafted by the Justice Ministry Saturday, which said it will seek inter-house discussion next month before sending it to the National Assembly in May. It will be the first comprehensive amendment to the law since its establishment in 1958. According to the draft, the ministry will lower the age people are considered an adult to 19 in the belief that children are growing up faster compared to previous decades. Accordingly, the legal age for marriage will be also lowered to 19 while the voting age may also follow suit.
The revision will also make parents of children who break the law liable to pay compensation.