Protesters, most of whom are conservative Christians, rally in front of Seoul Station in central Seoul, Saturday, against the government's Muslim-friendly policies to attract more tourists from the Middle East. / Yonhap



By Jung Min-ho

Conservative Christians have stepped up their movement against the government's Muslim-friendly policies to attract more tourists.

About a hundred protesters rallied near Seoul Station, Saturday, with no violence reported.

The protesters expressed their clear opposition to any state-funded activities that they believe will strengthen Islamic influence in Korea.

The protestors, largely from conservative Christian groups, said they will continue to protest against such activities, including provincial governments' projects to build facilities for halal food, which is permissible for Muslims to eat under Islamic law.

"Many provincial governments promote that they can attract more Muslim tourists to their regions by building such facilities. However, we as Christians should not put money ahead of our faith. That is why we reject the idea," a rally organizer, who serves as a missionary in a church in Seoul, told The Korea Times.

"We are not trying to incite hatred or convey any radical messages. We are just concerned that provincial governments may be helping Islam grow its influence here, and they have no idea about what the consequences their pro-Islam policies will bring to our country."

The Korea Tourism Organization said last month that it will establish more Muslim-friendly facilities and hold various events throughout this year. Many provincial governments have also set their own goals to attract more Muslim tourists.

Yet their moves have faced fierce oppositions from some of conservative Christian groups, which forced two mayors in Daegu and Iksan to retract their plans. The groups said their protest will continue, and one rally is already planned near the Gangwon provincial government building in Chuncheon next month.

Observers say the radical images of Islamic terrorists on media have helped propel anti-Muslim feeling in Korea, where 29 percent of its population consider themselves Christians. About 0.5 percent of the country's population call themselves Muslims.

Yet not all Christians have the same stance on Muslims, said a pastor, who works at a church in eastern Seoul.

"We have to start thinking about how to live with Muslims and, as Christians, what we can do for them because we may not be able to stop such a trend," he said. "But the worrying fact is that most of us are not prepared. Hasty protests against them may just help antagonism grow against Christians."

Korea has seen a rise of Muslim tourists in recent years. Last year, it drew some 800,000 Muslim tourists. Asian Muslim countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia have recently been included among the top 10 sources of visitors. The number is expected to increase in coming years.

According to the nation's trade promotion agency KOTRA, the global market for halal food is expected to grow to $1.62 trillion in 2018 from $1.08 trillion in 2012.

When asked about the recent protests, an official from the Korea Muslim Federation refused to comment because "it might just fuel anti-Islam sentiment in Korea."