A Korean Man Concerned About Dating a '22-Year-Old Vietnamese Woman vs. a 34-Year-Old Korean Woman'

Controversy Over Concern Post by Man in His 30s
"Is It a Marriage of Convenience?"... International Marriage Also a Choice"
Divorce Rate Between Korean Men and Foreign Women Is Declining

Netizens are engaged in heated debates over a story about a man in his 30s, who is of marriageable age, struggling between two women.

On the 22nd, an online community, BobaeDream, posted a story titled "A man torn between a 22-year-old Vietnamese woman and a 34-year-old Korean woman." Mr. A, who introduced himself as a man in his late 30s working in an office, confessed that he is conflicted between two women.

Mr. A, who introduced himself as a late 30s office worker, confessed that he is struggling between two women. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. [Photo by Pixabay]

He revealed that he has recently been drawn to a 22-year-old woman, Ms. B, whom he recently met. Ms. B is the younger sister of the wife of Mr. A’s workplace superior. Mr. A’s superior successfully married a Vietnamese woman and started a family.

The meeting with Ms. B began at a gathering with the superior’s family. He said, "Ms. B wants to marry a Korean man," and "She said she liked me after a chance encounter."

Mr. A said, "The person who used to love drinking so much now leaves work early because he misses his wife," indicating that the couple has a good relationship.

However, Mr. A has a 34-year-old girlfriend whom he met about four years ago. The problem is that despite being of marriageable age, his girlfriend has little savings, only about 300 million won, but wants to live in Seoul. Especially, she hopes to become a full-time housewife after marriage, which makes him feel uncertain.

On the 22nd, an online community BobaeDream posted a story titled "A man torn between a 22-year-old Vietnamese woman and a 34-year-old Korean woman." Mr. A, who introduced himself as a late 30s office worker, confessed that he is struggling between the two women. [Image source=Online community BobaeDream]

On the other hand, Ms. B is 12 years younger than his girlfriend and shows affection toward him. She is also the younger sister of an acquaintance, who is happily married to a Korean man, which adds to his dilemma.

In particular, Mr. A said, "Although it starts as a 'marriage for convenience,' when I see my superior who had an international marriage, he gets along very well with his wife," and confessed that he is drawn to the 20-something Vietnamese woman who has shown interest in him instead of the Korean woman he has dated for four years.

Netizens’ opinions on Mr. A’s story were divided. Some envied his potential marriage to a woman more than a decade younger, while others offered advice mixed with caution.

Some netizens criticized the marriage as a 'marriage for convenience,' saying that some women marry for economic support. They argued that there are not many reasons for a young woman in her 20s to marry an older bachelor through introduction rather than dating.

On the other hand, some comments mentioned that since the superior is happily married, an introduction through his younger sister could lead to a good relationship.

Trend of Stabilizing International Marriages... Divorce Rate Between Foreign Wives and Korean Husbands Declining

Meanwhile, according to the National Statistical Portal (KOSIS) of Statistics Korea on the 22nd, the number of divorces between foreign wives and Korean husbands last year was recorded at 3,961, down 8.2% from the previous year.

This is the lowest number since 3,933 cases were recorded in 2006. Among the 3,961 cases, 1,882 were mutual consent divorces, 2,064 were court divorces, and 15 were unknown. Divorces between foreign wives and Korean husbands peaked at 8,139 cases in 2011 and began to decline after recording 7,878 cases in 2012, continuing to decrease for 11 consecutive years.

In particular, last year, divorces involving Chinese and Vietnamese wives were 1,511 and 1,042 cases respectively, showing a decrease of about 64.1% and 47.7% compared to 2012. The decline in divorces between foreign wives and Korean husbands is interpreted as being influenced by policies aimed at stabilizing international marriages.

The policy to stabilize international marriages was introduced in 2010 after a Vietnamese marriage immigrant woman was killed by her mentally ill husband just eight days after their wedding.