The city of Gimhae has selected two multicultural couples as the inaugural participants for its “Gaya Royal Palace Wedding” event. (Image courtesy of Gimhae city)
GIMHAE, Apr. 2 (Korea Bizwire) – In an ambitious effort to attract domestic and international tourists for the “Visit Gimhae Year,” the city of Gimhae in South Gyeongsang Province has selected two multicultural couples as the inaugural participants for its “Gaya Royal Palace Wedding” event, the municipal government announced on Saturday.
The chosen couples are a Korean-Singaporean duo and a Korean-Russian pair.
The Korean-Singaporean couple, both in their 30s, met during working holidays in Japan and settled early in Gimhae, but financial constraints delayed their nuptials for nine years.
The Korean-Russian bride has a special story, as her family traces their roots to ethnic Koreans who followed her grandfather to his ancestral homeland.
“Having a royal Korean palace wedding will make my parents back home happier,” said the 37-year-old Singaporean bride, while the 23-year-old Russian bride expressed hope that their ceremony would inspire others of similar backgrounds among the ethnic Korean diaspora.
Gimhae Gaya History Park (Image courtesy of Gimhae city)
The Gimhae Cultural Heritage Foundation will host the “Gaya Royal Palace Wedding” event on the afternoon of April 27 at the Taegeukjeon hall of the Gaya Theme Park, featuring a unique matrimonial ceremony styled after ancient royal rituals. The couples will not be charged for the wedding costs.
This event is part of the city’s ambitious efforts to transition from facility-oriented tourism to content-driven experiences. Rather than a simple traditional ceremony, the royal palace weddings will incorporate vibrant performances and artistic elements tailored for international and domestic audiences.
Gimhae is a diverse multicultural city, with over 20,000 registered foreign residents. The municipal government aims to leverage this diversity to showcase the region’s rich heritage through innovative cultural programming.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
