{"id":2200113,"date":"2023-02-17T09:02:14","date_gmt":"2023-02-17T09:02:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nknews.org\/koreapro\/?p=2200113"},"modified":"2023-04-05T16:09:42","modified_gmt":"2023-04-05T07:09:42","slug":"how-islamophobia-in-south-korea-threatens-the-countrys-image-and-economy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/02\/how-islamophobia-in-south-korea-threatens-the-countrys-image-and-economy\/","title":{"rendered":"How Islamophobia in South Korea threatens the country\u2019s image and economy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Global interest in all things South Korea has surged in recent years, driven by soft power exports like music, film and television. Korean is now one of the most <\/span>popular languages to learn<\/span><\/a> in the world, and the country hit a new high in international visitors in the last full year before the pandemic.<\/span><\/p>\n

But those living in South Korea, especially minorities, often experience a country with far less glitz and glamor than in K-dramas. Sometimes the reality is far worse, as seen in a marked increase in <\/span>Islamophobia<\/span><\/a> in recent years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A group of Muslim students from various countries at Kyungpook National University has been using an old house in Daegu for worship and prayer. But the limited space meant many had to pray outside, even during bad weather.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After going through the necessary licensing and other requirements, construction to turn the house into a proper mosque began in early 2021 but was soon halted after other residents complained about noise and smell from the construction site.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Soon, protests began outside. Banners and signs were posted with anti-Muslim slogans and messages, and an entire pig\u2019s head was even placed outside the prayer house.<\/span><\/p>\n

South Koreans who opposed the mosque’s reconstruction then hosted <\/span>pork barbecue parties<\/span><\/a> outside the prayer house, which they defended as a necessary part of <\/span>Korean culture<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

This Islamophobia against Muslim students in Daegu was not a one-off incident, however, and such open displays of intolerance jeopardize South Korea\u2019s reputation abroad.<\/span><\/p>\n

DISTURBING TRENDS<\/b><\/p>\n

Despite claims to the contrary, Islamophobia was not far off when similar protests were held against the <\/span>admission of Afghan refugee children<\/span><\/a> in Korean schools or the <\/span>granting of asylum to Yemeni refugees<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Muslim students, researchers and workers in South Korea have a fundamental right to practice their religion, which includes access to a place of worship. But the recent events surrounding the prayer house demonstrate the very real obstacles religious and racial minorities face in South Korea every day.<\/span><\/p>\n

This sort of prejudice not only affects the rights and well-being of Muslims but also impacts the country\u2019s economy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

South Korea faces two demographic problems <\/span>\u2014 it is <\/span>aging<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>shrinking<\/span><\/a> at the same time. As the population declines and gets older, some economists predict that the country\u2019s economic standing could <\/span>fall behind<\/span><\/a> other emerging Asian economies in the coming years. To ensure that the ROK\u2019s economy remains competitive, it needs immigrants from around the world, including Muslims.<\/span><\/p>\n

By necessity, South Korea must embrace diversity and multiculturalism, as they are<\/span> essential aspects of society that bring people together to celebrate their differences. Academic <\/span>research<\/span><\/a> shows that diverse and inclusive environments lead to increased creativity, better decision-making and improved problem-solving skills.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Further, multicultural societies allow for the exchange of different ideas, beliefs and values, fostering a more tolerant and open-minded community. By embracing diversity and promoting multiculturalism, a society can create a better future for everyone, regardless of their religion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The presence of foreign talent, including Muslim students, is crucial to the advancement and growth of South Korea\u2019s economy, as they will be needed to take up jobs that Koreans will either be unwilling or unable to take. But they won\u2019t stay long in South Korea or consider going there at all if they feel unwelcome.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

The Seoul Central Mosque on April 21, 2018 | Image: Cikgu Pauzi via Flickr<\/a> (CC BY-ND 2.0<\/a>)<\/p><\/div>\n

REMNANTS OF THE PAST<\/b><\/p>\n

Two years ago, a <\/span>debate<\/span><\/a> about South Korea\u2019s potential to replace Hong Kong as the center of Asian finance drew attention to the problem of just how anti-foreign ROK society was, with this xenophobia listed as one of the reasons foreign firms did not consider Seoul or Busan suitable locations to establish operations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But the country\u2019s anachronistic view of outsiders is even more out of touch when looking at its dependence on foreign tourism.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Korea Tourism Organization<\/span><\/a> (KTO) estimated that the 17 million or so tourists that visited in 2019 \u2014 before COVID-19 made it difficult to travel \u2014 injected some $21.6 billion into the domestic economy and created nearly half-a-million jobs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With the pandemic mostly in the rear-view mirror, tourism will continue to be <\/span>vital<\/span><\/a> to South Korea\u2019s economy, accounting for several GDP percentage points.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A large portion of those tourists\u2019 dollars may come from the Muslim world. A 2017 report by the World Tourism Organization found that Muslims are the <\/span>fastest-growing demographic<\/span><\/a> of international tourists.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And the KTO found that many are <\/span>choosing to visit South Korea<\/span><\/a> due to their interest in Korean pop culture. But acts of discrimination that create an unwelcoming environment could deter Muslim tourists from visiting and ultimately cost the ROK tourism sector a lot of money.<\/span><\/p>\n

HERE TO STAY<\/b><\/p>\n

The ROK\u2019s aging population presents a significant <\/span>challenge<\/span><\/a> to its economy, as the proportion of elderly people is expected to exceed 40% by 2050. This, coupled with the country\u2019s low birth rates, could lead to a decline in its working-age population. To address this issue, South Korea has increasingly come to rely on <\/span>migrant labor<\/span><\/a>, many of who are Muslims.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is crucial that the South Korean government addresses the needs of these people and provides them with a welcoming and inclusive environment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Failure to do so could have a negative impact on the country\u2019s workforce and economy, particularly as the experts have warned of an \u201c<\/span>age quake<\/span><\/a>\u201d \u2014 a demographic shock from a rapidly aging and declining population \u2014 from 2030 to 2040 if the issue is not promptly tackled.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Yoon administration <\/span>recognized<\/span><\/a> early on that it needed to treat immigration seriously, and the country recently announced ambitious proposals to reform its immigration laws. However, legal reforms are insufficient without societal acceptance and change. Whether or not South Korea can learn to welcome Muslim immigrants remains to be seen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Edited by John Lee<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Business & Economy<\/span><\/a>Culture & Society<\/span><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Global interest in all things South Korea has surged in recent years, driven by soft power exports like music, film and television. Korean is now one of the most popular languages to learn in the world, and the country hit a new high in international visitors in the last full year before the pandemic. 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