PM calls for smaller, more frugal weddings

SEOUL, April 1 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn on Friday encouraged more couples to have smaller and more frugal weddings, saying that an extravagant event imposes huge financial burdens on young people.

"People should embrace a culture that promotes frugal yet meaningful weddings," Hwang said during a luncheon with five newlywed couples at his official residence in central Seoul.

The average cost of a wedding, including related expenses, reached 82.3 million won (US$71,400) in South Korea, with the cost of the wedding venue accounting for a quarter of the total, a recent survey showed.

The local wedding trend is typically extravagant, with hundreds of guests invited to expensive venues known as "wedding halls" and hotels.

The trend, however, has recently changed, as an increasing number of couples opt for public buildings as venues and skip various pre-wedding events.

Hwang further said that a wedding should be a blessing rather than a burden, noting that the government will continue support measures for such weddings by renting out public buildings.

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