400 people competing to marry a lady

SEOUL (AFP) — Almost 400 South Koreans have applied to marry a millionairess who advertised for a soulmate but only eight "serious-minded" applicants will make the final cut, a matchmaking agency said.

The 49-year-old woman who is reportedly worth 18 million dollars has been seeking a husband through an online advertisement since May 20, a spokeswoman for Sunoo matchmaking agency said.

Some 394 men -- including doctors, lawyers, accountants, soldiers and government employees and ranging in age from 26 to 49 years -- responded to the advertisement.

"As a business operator, she was too busy to find her husband herself," the spokeswoman told AFP.

"We initially planned to keep the bid open until the end of this month but the woman felt burdened by unwelcome media attention and she wanted it closed Tuesday."

The woman picked eight of the men for interviews and is expected to meet two or three of them per month over the next three months.

They are aged between 37 and 49 and include company employees, teachers and bank workers.

"The bride prefers average but serious persons to high-flying professionals," the spokeswoman said.

"She wants a soulmate with a passion for life, who will share the ups and downs of life with her."