Busan District Is Offering Cash To Singles To Encourage Them To Date And Get Married
The initiative is to help curb the nation's declining birth rate.
By Tamara Jayne — 29 Aug 2024, 01:58 PM
Saha-gu, a district in Busan, is launching a programme in October that offers cash incentives to singles to encourage dating and marriage
This initiative is part of South Korea's broader efforts to address declining birth rates and promote marriage.
Like many regions in the country, Busan faces challenges due to a low birth rate and an ageing population, which threaten its demographic stability and economic future.
By offering financial support, Saha-gu aims to reduce the economic pressures singles might encounter when considering marriage, such as dating costs or wedding expenses.
The event, scheduled for October, targets singles between the ages of 23 and 43, who live and work in the district
If a man and woman decide to start a romantic relationship during the event, one million won (RM3,240) will be given to them, according to The Korea Times.
If the couple proceeds with a 'sang-gyeon-rye', or a meeting of family members, typically arranged before a wedding, they will be awarded an additional two million won (RM6,480).
Should they eventually marry, they will receive a further 20 million won (RM64,800) as a congratulatory gift.
In addition to cash incentives, the district office will offer housing support for up to five years for married couples
The total amount in funding ranges between 53 million (RM171,000) and 71 million won (RM230,000) per couple.
Applicants will undergo a review process based on their applications, followed by interviews before being selected for the event.
Specific rules and the scale of the event have not yet been disclosed. If successful, the district plans to hold the event monthly and may extend eligibility to non-Korean residents who live or work in the area.
"This project is designed to overcome the demographic crisis amid South Korea's low birth rate by forming a multicultural local community in the future," Saha-gu district head Lee Gap-jun said, according to The Korea Herald.
