'Overcoming Pain for a New Start'... Moving Joint Wedding Ceremony for Legal Protection Beneficiaries

8 Couples Blessed as They Tie the Knot

39th Annual Event, Total of 308 Couples United in Love

Model ex-offenders who were unable to hold wedding ceremonies due to financial difficulties tied the knot with the help of the government.

On the afternoon of the 8th, the '39th Beautiful Journey Joint Wedding Ceremony' hosted by the Korea Rehabilitation Welfare Corporation Gwangju-Jeonnam Branch was held at the JS Wedding Convention Grace Hall in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City.

On the 8th, eight couples who tied the knot at the "39th Beautiful Journey Joint Wedding Ceremony" hosted by the Gwangju Jeonnam Branch of the Korea Legal Protection Welfare Corporation are listening to the officiant's address.
[Photo by Park Jin-hyung]

The corporation organized this event to help cohabiting couples or singles under legal protection build harmonious families and return as healthy members of society. Since 1985, joint wedding ceremonies have been held annually, with a total of 308 couples having tied the knot so far.

This time, support was provided to 8 couples. The approximately 30 million KRW cost, including wedding hall rental fees, was covered by the corporation’s own budget and sponsorships from various organizations such as Gwangju Metropolitan City and the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office.

The wedding ceremony was officiated by Choi Jeong-hak, Chairman of the Korea Ministry of Justice Rehabilitation Committee Gwangju-Jeonnam Branch Council. Following the program, the events included ▲watching congratulatory videos ▲lighting the wedding candles ▲marriage vows ▲exchange of wedding rings ▲reading letters ▲congratulatory songs ▲and the bride and groom’s procession.

The bride and groom, receiving blessings from numerous guests, firmly vowed to become 'new people' overcoming their painful pasts.

Kim, representing the 8 couples on stage, read a letter prepared for his wife, confessing a past filled with regret and reflection. He tearfully recalled how, instead of warmly embracing his wife who is battling cancer, he had drunkenly cursed and only added wounds to her already suffering body.

Having even served time for drunk driving and neglected his family, he expressed gratitude to his wife who accepted him as her husband and sincerely asked for forgiveness. Overcome with emotion, he momentarily lost his voice but managed to read the 646-character letter to the end, conveying his apologies and thanks.

He ended his speech by shouting the affectionate words "I love you," which he might have longed to hear from his usually blunt and cold self, and embraced his wife tightly with open arms.

Kim has since quit drinking early and is living diligently, working in farming to be a good father to his youngest son and a reliable husband.

After the letter reading, the bride and groom, dressed in a splendid wedding dress and a neat tuxedo, took unforgettable commemorative photos with the happiest expressions in the world.

The shining chandelier with its high ceiling highlighted their bright smiles and beauty, as if washing away their dark past.

As the event’s name suggested, the numerous guests who witnessed the 'Beautiful Journey' gave generous applause and wished blessings for the future, concluding the joint wedding ceremony of the 8 couples.

About 150 people attended, including Choi Un-sik, Director of the Korea Rehabilitation Welfare Corporation; Lee Su-kwon, Chief Prosecutor of Gwangju District; Lee Jeong-seon, Superintendent of Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education; and Lee Jae-jun, Head of the Korea Rehabilitation Welfare Corporation Gwangju-Jeonnam Branch.

Director Choi Un-sik said, “I hope the bride and groom will not forget the feelings they first had for each other and will soothe each other’s wounds,” adding, “We will continue to support protected individuals so they can fully settle into society.”

Chief Prosecutor Lee Su-kwon congratulated, saying, “Gyeongae Hwarak (敬愛和樂) ? respect each other, love sincerely, always live harmoniously, joyfully, and happily. May all harmony and joy gather in the families here today, and since this bond was formed through hardship, I hope for a hundred years of happiness and blessings to be with you.”