Foreign minister harks back to South Korea's historical Islamic connections

Korea Herald

17-03-2025

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul highlighted South Korea's historical ties with the Islamic world at an Iftar dinner hosted by the Seoul government on March 11.
Iftar is a meal eaten by Muslims at sunset to break the daily fast during Ramadan.
'What a proud heritage it is. Throughout history, Muslim civilizations have profoundly enriched humanity by bridging cultures and illuminating new ways of thinking. Their influence can also be found in Korea's history,' said Cho in his remarks sharing his first experience with Ramadan three decades ago when he was serving as a counselor at the South Korean Embassy in Saudi Arabia.
The ministry has held Iftar dinners for OIC diplomats and leaders of different sectors since 2004 to strengthen ties with the Islamic community.
Founded in 1969, the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) is a 57-member body representing the Muslim world's collective voice.
Cho cited remembrance, togetherness, and peace as the spirit of Ramadan. He also revisited archaeological discoveries in Gyeongju, the venue of this year's APEC Summit, which include relics from as far as Egypt, Syria and Central Asia, reflecting Korea's early interactions with the Islamic world.
Islamic cultural exchange with the Korean Peninsula began in the 8th century via the Silk Road, particularly through maritime routes. Arab and Persian merchants brought items to Gyeongju, as recorded in Samguksagi (History of the Three Kingdoms), written in 1145 by Goryeo (918-1392) and Arabic texts.
Some theories suggest that Cheoyong, a 9th-century figure of the Unified Silla era (668–935), was originally of Arab origin. Cheoyong, appears in the 13th-century Samguk Yusa as the son of a dragon king who wards off an evil spirit through singing and dancing.
Samguk Yusa is a historical record compiled by Buddhist monk Il Yeon in 1281.
From the 8th to 9th centuries, Islamic luxury goods, music, and instruments influenced Korea through trade via China or Muslim merchants. Maritime trade grew, and Arab merchants arrived directly after Jang Bogo's decline in the mid-9th century.
Jang Bogo, was a naval commander of the Unified Silla era who dominated Northeast Asian trade and earned the title "King of the Yellow Sea." He is well known for promoting merit-based politics.
'Consider also that Arab merchants were the first to spread the name 'Korea' around the world, as their exchanges with the Goryeo Dynasty flourished during the Middle Ages. Later, Turkish veterans of the Korean War established the Ankara School in Suwon, sheltering hundreds of war orphans,' said the minister.
During the 13th century, in the Goryeo era (918–1392) under Mongol rule, Muslim communities and mosques emerged, influencing science, art and astronomy. In the Joseon era (1392-1910), Islamic knowledge aided advancements in the lunar calendar and science under King Sejong.
'This noble act laid the foundation for the growth of today's Muslim community in Korea," Cho recalled.
The so-called "Middle East Boom" in the 1970s and 80s, particularly in the Gulf region, became a pivotal moment in Korea's economic development, according to Cho.
Cho also noted contemporary cultural connections, citing the Dongdaemun Design Plaza — designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid — and Muslim Street in Itaewon, lined with halal restaurants and shops near the Itaewon Mosque.
'Even our dessert market has been influenced by the Middle East, with Turkish ice cream, kaymak and Dubai chocolates gaining popularity among young Koreans,' according to him.
'Just as Ramadan unites families and communities over Iftar, Korea is dedicated to strengthening its bonds of friendship with the Islamic world,' Cho said, underlining South Korea's expanding ties with the OIC.
"Last year, we engaged in high-level diplomacy with key partners such as the UAE, Malaysia, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan,' he said.
'This year, in a historic move, a government delegation from the Republic of Korea traveled to Syria to meet with senior officials of the transitional government," said Cho.
According to the ministry, South Korea is set to establish diplomatic ties with Syria.
The move follows Syria's political shift after ex-President Assad's ousting in 2024, creating an opportunity for engagement but marking a diplomatic breakthrough for South Korea because Syria was a longtime North Korean ally, receiving military and technical support, including missile and chemical weapons assistance.
Pyongyang even sent fighter pilots during the 1967 and 1973 wars.
"Through platforms like the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Fund, the Korea-Middle East Cooperation Forum, and the Korea-Africa Summit, we continue to seek sustainable cooperation and foster future prosperity,' Cho noted.
'Korea, for its part, extended humanitarian assistance to regions including Palestine, Syria, Yemen and Sudan last year, with hopes of contributing to their stability and recovery,' he said.
"The wound is the place where the light enters you," the minister was referring to a quote of 13th-century Persian poet Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi, who was influenced by Sufism.
Sufism is a mystical Islamic path said to have emerged in the 8th century in the Middle East, emphasizing divine love and personal experience of God over legalistic and ritualistic practices.
'May this Ramadan be a time of remembrance, togetherness, and most importantly, peace,' said Cho.
'Ramadan is a time of compassion and tolerance,' said UAE Ambassador to Korea Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, dean of the Arab group of ambassadors in Seoul, highlighting shared values of 'respect, understanding and the pursuit of peace' that strengthen ties.
'By embracing diversity and respecting differences, we can build bridges of understanding that allow us to work together toward common goals,' he said.
'These principles deeply resonate in the enduring relationship between the Republic of Korea and our nations, built on mutual trust, cooperation and cultural appreciation."
The event was attended by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of the diplomatic corps, foreign residents in Korea, students, professors, think tanks and the media.
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