Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Matchmaking program leads to first wedding in Gimhae
A man gives a wedding invitation to Gimhae Mayor Hong Tae-yong at his office in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province. The couple met at a city-run matchmaking event last year. Their wedding ceremony is scheduled to be held this Saturday. Courtesy of Gimhae City
By Jung Min-ho
Officials consider allowing foreign residents to participate
A couple set to tie the knot this Saturday say they probably would not have met if it weren't for Gimhae Mayor Hong Tae-yong.
The couple who met at a matchmaking event hosted by the South Gyeongsang Province city last year may be the first to marry there — but they are unlikely to be the last, as such government-backed matchmaking programs gain traction nationwide.
“I am happy and grateful to have found a good spouse to spend the rest of my life with,” the soon-to-be husband, surnamed Kim, said. “I hope ‘Gimhae Solo’ will continue to remain as a platform for many young men and women to find love.”
A growing number of municipal governments across Korea are turning to matchmaking programs like Gimhae’s to address the country’s record-low birth rate, hoping that encouraging marriage will eventually lead to more births.
Initially met with public skepticism and criticism over the use of taxpayer money, these initiatives are now gaining broader acceptance. Rather than scaling back, many local officials are expanding such efforts, pointing to growing participation and early signs of success as justification.
“Another Gimhae Solo event is scheduled to be held on June 21 and 22. We are planning to host another one during the fall season,” an official told The Korea Times. “The events have been very successful, with a lot of applicants and mostly positive reviews from them.”
Some critics argue that these programs do little to address deeper structural issues — such as soaring housing costs and job insecurity — that underpin Korea’s record-low total fertility rate, which remains below 0.8, the lowest in the world.
Still, local officials say the programs are likely to persist. With population decline viewed as the most urgent challenge facing many municipalities, officials point to early successes and shifting attitudes toward marriage as evidence that such efforts can complement broader family welfare initiatives.
“As long as the program fulfills those important roles, there is no reason it should stop,” the official said.
This November 2024 photo shows singles participating in a matchmaking program hosted by Busan's Saha District Office. Courtesy of Saha District Office
About two years ago, the Seoul Metropolitan Government scrapped its matchmaking plans amid a public backlash. But officials reversed course last year, organizing a dating event along the Han River in November that drew 3,286 applicants for just 100 spots. Encouraged by the overwhelming interest, the capital city hosted a follow-up event on Valentine’s Day and is now preparing for a summer edition on June 21, set to take place at Some Sevit.
Couples who leave the event together will receive dating coupons worth a combined 10 million won ($7,300), distributed evenly among all matches.
Officials say the aim is not just to facilitate romantic connections, but also to reshape perceptions of marriage and reverse population decline, especially in cities like Busan where young people continue to leave in large numbers.
“It’s important also for the future of the city and the district,” the official said. “That’s why we decided to host six matchmaking events in 2025 after the successful inaugural one held last year.”
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At one of the events, participants in their 20s and 30s followed the guidance of a relationship coach while participating in activities such as a treasure hunt. In the evening, they dined on an island, enjoying a curated meal with red wine. That mix of structured interaction and relaxed atmosphere was enough to bring 12 couples together over the past year, according to the official.
To make their matchmaking events more exciting, local officials have been trying to be more creative. One of the ideas many of them consider is to allow foreign residents to take part.
“Technically, foreign residents can also apply for our event. But so far, we have received no application from noncitizens. If we receive their applications, we will have to check whether it would be possible to allow them in under current regulations,” a Seoul city official said.
Officials from other local offices including the ones in Gimhae and Busan’s Saha District said they have also been reviewing the idea of expanding opportunities to foreign residents at future events.
“We have been reviewing the idea, which could allow them in from as early as this year’s fall event,” the Gimhae official said.