The Gender Equality Ministry is releasing a set of video guidelines for those interested in contacting international marriage agencies to marry a foreign spouse, as a growing number of South Koreans are being swindled.

To date, some 20 percent of all marriages between a South Korean and a foreign national here are arranged through such agencies. According to Kim Dae-jung from the Gender Equality Ministry, such firms charge a commission fee that usually ranges from 10 million won to 20 million won ($9,500 to $18,950).

And the number of people who have been scammed by such agencies ― for example, ones that receive the payment but fail to arrange the marriage ― has been growing, according the ministry.

In the video, the ministry advises prospective clients to only use one of the 470 firms registered under the government, make sure to ask for a written contract, and find firms that offer translation and interpretation services.

“You also have to visit the agencies in person before you sign your papers. Also, be careful with firms that offer unusually cheap prices,” Kim told The Korea Herald.

“Once, a man was swindled by an (illegal) marriage agency that said it only costs 880,000 won for everything ― the airfare, commission charge and legal procedures.”

Upon signing a contract, most Koreans visit the country of their future spouse about two times before their wedding, according to Choi Jong-rak from the Gender Equality Ministry.

The commission charge covers their airfare, accommodation, interpretation services and food, as well as a short honeymoon. It also pays for the bride’s airfare to South Korea, as well as the cost of her visa and the outsourcing of clerical processes such as filling out immigration forms.

“Koreans tend to outsource everything to the agencies and this puts them in a vulnerable position,” Choi told The Korea Herald. “They don’t have much time to learn about their future spouse and don’t speak their language, either.”

In April, a South Korean man paid a local marriage agency 10 million won to arrange his marriage with a Vietnamese woman. He visited her two times ― once in June and again in July ― and they got married during his second stay.

But his wife refused to come to South Korea after the wedding, and the man had no way of contacting her. He is now asking the agency to refund his money and explain why his wife refuses to move to Korea.

“It is very crucial to include every possible situation in your contract,” Choi from the Gender Equality Ministry explained. “And make sure you write down and agree on who would be responsible for such situations ― it’s either you or the agency.”

The video will be broadcast in bus stations nationwide, at Yongsan Station and on some cable TV channels for a month starting Thursday.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)