"Do You Really Have to Find a Spouse in Korea?"... Marriages With Japanese Women Increasing

Record Number of Marriages Between Korean Men and Japanese Women in a Decade
25% of Men Seeking International Marriage Agencies Are in Their 30s
Younger Generation Shows Less Reluctance Toward Different Cultures

As an increasing number of young people are choosing to forgo marriage and dating, some advice from the international marriage industry is drawing attention, suggesting that if it is difficult to find a spouse domestically, it may be worthwhile to broaden the search overseas.

The YouTube channel "Ilterview," which has around 490,000 subscribers, released a video on September 3 titled, "Why Korean Men in Their 20s and 30s Have No Other Choice But to Choose International Marriage." In the video, Eunsoo Kim, Director at Mirae Marriage Information, appeared to explain recent changes in the international marriage market and the trends among young men.

Kim stated that the proportion of men in their 30s seeking international marriage agencies has recently risen to around 25%. She noted that while in the past, men considering international marriage were concentrated mainly in their 40s or older, there has recently been an increase in inquiries from comparatively younger generations.

She cited as one of the reasons for this change the fact that younger generations have fewer preconceptions about other countries and cultures compared to previous generations. Men who are experiencing difficulty finding a spouse domestically are starting to accept international marriage as a viable option.

The photo is not directly related to the content of the article. Pixabay

She also introduced the approach of naturally meeting someone while living abroad. Kim explained that it is becoming more common for people to find jobs in Japan, date locals, and eventually marry, indicating that employment abroad can lead to relationships and marriage.

The rise in Korea-Japan international marriages is also supported by statistics. According to the Ministry of Data and Statistics' "2024 Marriage and Divorce Statistics," the number of marriages between Korean men and Japanese women in 2024 was 1,176, an increase of 40.2% from the previous year. This is the highest level in the past ten years.

Changes in perceptions surrounding international marriage are also becoming evident. While in the past, international marriages were often associated with quick matches and marriage through matchmaking agencies, those in the industry say it is now shifting toward a process in which couples meet and date before deciding to marry.

Kim said, "In the past, it was common to have online matchmaking sessions and then get married quickly, but recently, the system has changed so that after meeting online, couples proceed to meet in person, date, and then decide on marriage." Rather than rushing into marriage, the system now encourages people to get to know each other well before making a decision.

She also advised young people considering giving up on marriage not to limit themselves to the domestic sphere. Kim recommended, "If you broaden your perspective, there is no need to look for a spouse only in Korea," and encouraged people to seek opportunities to meet new people in different environments.

International marriages have been on the rise recently. The total number of marriages in 2024 was 222,000, an increase of 14.8% compared to the previous year, and marriages with foreign spouses also increased by about 21,000 cases, up 5.3%.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.