Pinoys warned of Korea drive vs mail-order brides

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos are advised against agencies acting as fronts for mail order brides following reports that the South Korean government is set to crack down on inter-racial matchmaking agencies that violate local laws and use deceptive advertising.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul reminded the public of Republic Act 6955 or the Anti-Mail-Order Bride Law, which makes it illegal for a “person, natural or juridical, association, club or any other entity” to “establish or carry on a business which has for its purpose the matching of Filipino women for marriage to foreign nationals either on a mail order basis or through personal introduction.”

The law also makes it illegal for anyone “to advertise, publish, print or distribute or cause the advertisement, publication, printing or distribution of any brochure, flier, or any propaganda material calculated to promote the prohibited acts” earlier mentioned.

Further amendments include its applicability to mail order bride schemes using “e-mail or websites in the Internet.”

While matchmaking agencies are considered legal in South Korea, Philippine Ambassador to Seoul Luis Cruz said yesterday that Korean law
requires these agencies to be registered and to be aware of issues concerning inter-racial marriages and ethics.

“A number of Filipinos enter South Korea through marriages arranged through these matchmakers. Many are lured by promises of work or a better life,” Cruz said.

As of Jan. 31 this year, some 5,000 Filipinos married to South Koreans reside in the peninsula. Some of them met their respective spouses through matchmaking agencies.