Busan Saha-gu Arranges 'Sogaeting' and Provides Money
Men and Women Can Receive Up to 53 Million KRW Support
This Year Only Domestic Participants...Foreigners Allowed Next Year
Amid concerns over population decline due to low birth rates, a district in Busan has introduced a groundbreaking measure to arrange 'blind dates' and provide financial support for congratulatory gifts and rental deposits if the couples marry.
On the 26th, Saha-gu, Busan announced that it has included the budget for the 'Meeting Day for Unmarried Korean and Foreign Men and Women' event, scheduled for October this year, in the first supplementary budget proposal for 2024. The event will be conducted as a pilot project, primarily selecting domestic participants.
Eligible applicants are those born between 1981 and 2001, whose registered residence or workplace is in Saha-gu. Saha-gu stated that participants will be selected through a two-step process: first, document screening, followed by interviews.
Participants who pass the second round will receive support for ▲meeting expenses ▲formal introduction meeting costs ▲wedding congratulatory money ▲housing support ▲date and wedding expenses. Upon forming a couple, 500,000 KRW will be paid in advance, and if a formal introduction meeting takes place, 1,000,000 KRW per person will be provided. For couples who hold a wedding ceremony, 20,000,000 KRW will be given as congratulatory money, and when securing a rental home, a rental deposit of 30,000,000 KRW or monthly rent of 800,000 KRW (up to 5 years) will be guaranteed. If a couple who met through this matchmaking program marries and lives in a rental home, they could receive up to 53,000,000 KRW in total support.
Saha-gu officials stated, "We will conduct the event as a pilot in October this year and plan to expand the program to include foreigners and hold it once a month starting next year."
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