![]() and Sohn Hyung-sook |
The Ministry of Health and Welfare’s matchmaking efforts have finally paid off as the first ever couple from its string of dating events decided to tie the knot in December.
According to the ministry, Oh Dong-myong, an employee at the National Health Insurance Corporation, an affiliate of the ministry, and Sohn Hyung-sook, a worker at Samsung Tesco, are to marry on Dec. 11.
They first met in May at a ministry event and have developed mutual feelings for each other. Former welfare minister Jeon Jae-hee will marry them.
A ministry official hinted that Oh and Sohn may be the first of many more couples to wed.
The ministry has arranged four group matchmaking events this year between its staff and workers from private companies, and 20 couples have been dating so far.
“It seems that people were determined to find their significant others at the event and were aggressive and diligent in every activity,” a ministry official said. “The ministry will continue to let more single people find their life partners,” he added.
The ministry stood up as a matchmaker as former minister Jeon Jae-hee found it necessary for young people to get married to boost the ever―falling birthrate in the country.
Under her orchestration, single staff members at the ministry have participated in dating events with workers at other government departments and public corporations as well as 71 private sectors including Lotte Department Stores and Samsung Tesco. The next event is scheduled for early November.