Honoring the Late Baek Nak-sam's 55 Years of Free Wedding Service
Premarital Disclosure of Officiation to Avoid Burdening the Couple
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo visited Sinshin Wedding Hall in Masanhappo-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam on the 24th and served as a 'surprise officiant' for a couple holding a belated wedding ceremony.
Sinshin Wedding Hall is known for having provided free wedding ceremonies for those in difficult circumstances for over 50 years until the founder, the late Baek Nak-sam, passed away last April. Currently, his son Baek Nam-moon serves as the second-generation CEO, continuing the late founder's legacy.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo visited Sinshin Wedding Hall in Masanhappo-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongnam on Christmas Eve, the 24th, to give a surprise officiating speech for a couple getting married. [Photo by Han Duck-soo's Facebook, Yonhap News]
On that day, Prime Minister Han revealed the surprise officiating himself through a post on Facebook. He said, "After hearing that Mrs. Baek and her son decided to carry on the late CEO's will, I thought I would like to contribute even a small help whenever I have time," adding, "Today, Christmas Eve, the opportunity came."
Upon hearing that a couple who had lived together for 26 years was holding a small wedding ceremony at Sinshin Wedding Hall, Prime Minister Han decided to officiate. To avoid causing any burden to the couple, he did not inform them or their family in advance that he would be the officiant. When Prime Minister Han arrived before the ceremony and greeted them by saying, "I will be officiating today," the couple, their children, and the sister-in-law couple, along with the entire family, were reportedly surprised and delighted.
In his officiating speech, Prime Minister Han said, "Although there have been many hardships, you have raised your children upright and lived a harmonious family life, so you have every reason to be proud," and added, "Continue to rely on each other as you have until now, and may your graying hair turn completely white as you live together in harmony." During the commemorative photo session, he also shouted the slogan "Kimchi! Tuna! Mackerel pike!" which brought laughter from the guests. This phrase was something CEO Baek used to shout whenever taking commemorative photos at free weddings during his lifetime.
After the ceremony, Prime Minister Han left the wedding hall and expressed his gratitude to Mrs. Choi Pil-soon, the late CEO Baek's wife, and Baek Nam-moon, the current CEO and son, saying, "Thank you for carrying on your father's will."
On the 24th, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is looking around the commendation certificate and articles of the late CEO Baek Nak-sam posted on the wall of Sinshin Wedding Hall. [Image source=Captured from Prime Minister Han's Facebook, Yonhap News]
Prime Minister Han concluded his post by saying, "I feel glad that I came down to (Masan). I looked closely at each photo of the bride and groom densely posted on the wedding hall walls," and added, "Isn't the most heartfelt love the long-lasting love? It was touching to see those who endured all kinds of hardships while working hard despite difficult circumstances getting married with their hair now frosted with gray."
Earlier, when news of CEO Baek Nak-sam's passing was announced last April, Prime Minister Han wrote on Facebook, "I deeply mourn CEO Baek and offer my condolences to his wife and son," and added, "I will remember CEO Baek's spirit of service, who felt greater happiness and pride by creating happiness for others."
CEO Baek operated the wedding hall free of charge for 55 years, providing wedding ceremonies for 14,000 couples in difficult circumstances. Starting in his twenties, he worked as a street photographer and saved money to purchase a three-story building where he opened Sinshin Wedding Hall. During his lifetime, CEO Baek, along with his wife, took care of cleaning the wedding hall, managing the building, and parking. He collapsed from overwork last April, was diagnosed with a cerebral hemorrhage, and passed away at the age of 93 after battling illness.
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