South Korean temple hosts singles retreats to combat national low birth rate

A thousand-year-old Buddhist temple in South Korea is taking on a new mission: combating the nation's demographic crisis by helping young people find love and start families. The Donghwasa temple, nestled in the lush mountains of Palgongsan, is hosting 30-hour retreats for singles, a unique initiative aimed at reversing the country's alarmingly low birth rate.

Monks are guiding participants through a packed agenda of activities designed to break the ice and foster connections. Organizer Yoo Cheol-ju explained the temple's involvement, drawing a parallel to historical moments when Buddhists acted to protect the nation. "This time the threat is not from abroad," he stated, referring to the national crisis of low fertility.

“

The Buddhists have always been the first to act when our country has gone through difficult times.

South Korea's fertility rate plummeted to a record low of 0.72 children per woman in 2023, far below the replacement level of 2.1. Factors like soaring housing costs, insufficient childcare support, and young people dating less contribute to this decline. While the government offers financial incentives and extended parental leave, local initiatives like the temple retreat are stepping in to offer a more direct, albeit unconventional, approach.

One participant, 28-year-old Kim Ah-kyung, known by her Buddhist name Sunhyeji, is among the select group chosen from over 1,580 applicants. The rigorous selection process, including questionnaires and selfie videos, aimed to assess the seriousness of candidates regarding marriage and having children. The retreat's blend of spiritual setting and matchmaking aims to create a supportive environment for young South Koreans to find partners and, hopefully, contribute to the nation's future.

“

The low birth rate is a national crisis. We had to do something about it.