Data points to near-term recovery, but longer-term structural pressures remain

20260319 Korean Couple

A woman and man wearing traditional Korean dress stand amid the snow in Seoul, on Feb. 6. Data show that more South Korean couples are getting married. © Reuters

SEOUL — A shift in social attitudes toward favoring marriage is helping lift wedding numbers in South Korea, as more young adults say tying the knot is necessary despite persistent economic and demographic pressures.