The government on Tuesday approved a bill that would lower the age of adulthood to 18 from 20, a move that would enable 18- and 19-year-olds to sign contracts and get married without the consent of their parents.

The planned amendment, which the government aims to implement in April 2022, would change the Civil Code's definition of an adult for the first time since it was enacted in the late 19th century, in turn affecting many aspects of society, including the acquisition of licenses.

But under the bill, people aged 19 and below would remain prohibited from drinking alcohol, smoking and gambling.