Foreign ministry unveils 'White Day' for singles

The Korean government had a little treat for those who might be "singled out" for the "second Valentine's day" a month after February 14 ㅡ White Day.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched a two-hour special online event on Facebook, inviting users to introduce a person who might feel lonely on this romantic day ㅡ offering coupons for free meals at a restaurant.

Five winners were selected, from stories about a wide variety of people.

First prize went to Lee Ho-wan, for "The forty-year-old single man." Kim So-hyun, Lee's friend, wrote, "He's probably just hanging out with his two cats in his house today. I beg you, please, give him a restaurant coupon."

Second was Kim Jung-bin, who nominated himself with "Lonely Single."

"Do you know the sorrow of engineer majoring students?" Kim wrote. "It's only been two weeks since class started and I'm alone at a cafe for a huge heap of assignments.“He said he had stayed up until 5 a.m. to finish his homework.

"Our lovely Ministry of Foreign Affairs, would you please save me and heal my soul through a delicious meal with my friend?" he wrote.

Third was a "single" who had an exceptional place in his heart for a Smartphone game.

"My friend Kim Jung-hwan has sold his soul to Seven Nights," wrote his friend, Kim Hong-yeon.

The fourth and fifth place winners both said they had little to no experience of relationships.

"We stayed up all night at a club, but I hoped I could present my dear friend, who might feel empty inside, with a good hot meal," Song Ho-seung wrote, nominating Jo Jin-woo.

"I want to love someone other than myself," wrote Kim Ji-su, 27, who said he wished the ministry would help him ask someone out on a dinner date with the restaurant coupons.

The short event drew more than 400 comments with some expressing surprise at the ministry's move.

"The Facebook manager of the ministry must be single, too," said Park Go-eun.

Shin Joon-youn commented, "All the stories are quite sad.”