South Korean foreign bride matches often end in tears

There are more than 1,000 international marriage agencies in the country, according to the Welfare Ministry, but there are thought to be many more unofficial ones.

The South Korean men, mostly 20 to 30 years older than their foreign wives, pay anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000 to the agency to find them a bride.

"The South Korean public is illiterate in cultural diversity, so they have to catch up and learn as soon as they can," Kwon said.

(Editing by Jonathan Thatcher and Jonathan Hopfner)