The government shut down or suspended over 80 international marriage agencies in the first half of the year, the Gender Equality and Family Ministry said Wednesday.

The number of such firms dropped by 12 percent to 1,204 during the period, slightly declining since last year.

The ministry closed 27 for failing to meet qualifications and halted operations of 54 firms for not writing out contracts with their clients.

(rene@heraldcorp.com)