Buddhist Temple Hosts Dating Retreat to Tackle South Korea's Birth Crisis

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Daegu: An ancient Buddhist temple in South Korea is helping single men and women find love through a unique dating retreat aimed at encouraging marriage and tackling the country's record-low birth rate.

The 30-hour event at Donghwasa Temple, near Daegu, brought together 24 participants selected from more than 1,600 applicants. Through ice-breaking activities, one-on-one dates, group games and speed dating, organisers hoped to help young people form lasting relationships.

Monks behind the programme said the retreat was their contribution to addressing what they described as a national crisis. South Korea has one of the world's lowest fertility rates, although births have shown signs of a modest recovery after years of decline.

By the end of the retreat, eight couples had formed, including two matches involving event staff. Participants who did not find a partner said they still left with new friendships and greater confidence.

South Korean authorities and civic groups have organised matchmaking events for years alongside government incentives such as cash bonuses, subsidised housing and extended parental leave in an effort to reverse the country's demographic decline.