Up to 63 Million KRW Upon Marriage... Recruiting for 'I Am Solo' in Saha-gu, Busan

by Seo Jiyeong

Published 07 Mar.2025 13:51(KST)

Updated 07 Mar.2025 17:00(KST)

Saha-gu in Busan to Host Matchmaking Event for Singles
Up to 63 Million KRW Provided for Couples Who Marry Through the Event
Marriage Grants, Housing Support, Childbirth Bonuses,
Travel and Cultural Benefits Offered Based on Income Level
Local Governments Nationwide Hold Events to Address Low Birth Rates
Rising Demand as Participants' "Specs" Are Guaranteed, Drawing Crowds

Reference photo to aid understanding of the article. Pixabay

As the trend of giving up dating, marriage, and childbirth spreads amid severe economic and employment difficulties, local governments across the country are stepping up to become matchmakers for young men and women. In particular, as local governments are holding matchmaking events to prevent regional extinction, Saha-gu in Busan has announced that it will hold a matchmaking event for unmarried men and women and provide unprecedented support to couples who get married, drawing attention.

On the 7th, Saha-gu, Busan announced that it is recruiting participants for the matchmaking event "Dugeun Dugeun Saha Bridge." The district plans a total of six matchmaking events this year. Participants for the 1st and 2nd sessions are being recruited until the 23rd of this month. The 1st session will have 24 participants on Gadeokdo Island, and the 2nd session will have 20 participants at Eulsukdo. The district also explained that events targeting public institution workers and foreigners are planned.

The scene from last year's 'Dugeun Dugeun Saha Bridge' event held by Saha-gu, Busan. Provided by Saha-gu

Dugeun Dugeun Saha Bridge is a population policy measure to overcome the crisis of low birth rates and regional extinction. A pilot event was held once last year, resulting in seven couples. However, none of the couples have married yet.

Eligibility is for unmarried men and women born between 1986 and 1996. Men must have been residing or working in Saha-gu for more than one year, and women must have been residing or working in Busan Metropolitan City for more than one year.

The scene from last year's 'Dugeun Dugeun Saha Bridge' event held by Saha-gu, Busan. Provided by Saha-gu

If a couple is formed after the event, a dating expense of 500,000 KRW per person is supported. If it leads to marriage, 1,000,000 KRW is provided per couple for the formal meeting between families. Public institution parking lots are discounted by 50% for three years, and cultural and artistic usage fees are also supported. Depending on income, marriage congratulatory money, housing expenses, childbirth congratulatory money, and travel support funds are also provided on a sliding scale.

Couples with an income below 120% of the median income will receive 20,000,000 KRW as marriage congratulatory money per couple, 30,000,000 KRW for jeonse deposit, 3,000,000 KRW once for childbirth congratulatory money, and 10,000,000 KRW for travel support. Higher-income couples will receive reduced support.

The district plans to establish detailed rules through ordinances to prevent fraudulent claims and clarify the basis for support. A Saha-gu official explained, "Once detailed rules for support payments are established, the support amounts may vary somewhat."

Heartbeat Saha Bridge Guide Poster. Provided by Saha-gu.

Including Saha-gu, at least 30 local governments hold annual matchmaking events. Since 2023, Seongnam City has been holding an event called "Solomon's Choice" five times a year, with over 1,000 participants annually. Seongnam City uses an artificial intelligence (AI) matching program to analyze participants' personality types and organizes meeting groups based on this analysis.

Additionally, Gwangyang City has been planning "Gwangyang Solo Ending" by age group since 2017, and Gimhae City is promoting a one-night, two-day program called "I am Gimhae Solo." Jangheung County introduced the "Solo Ending Dating Consulting Support Project" in 2019, the first in Jeollanam-do, providing free personalized matching services and counseling opportunities to unmarried men and women.

Local governments hold these events to facilitate meetings between unmarried men and women based on the judgment that marriage-related policy projects can help solve the low birth rate problem. Especially since these events are operated by local governments, the guaranteed "specs" of participants and the high reliability are also considered attractive.