Korea Muslim Federation celebrates 70 years of Islam in Korea

Korea Muslim Federation President Kim Dong-eok speaks during an event celebrating 70 years of Islam in Korea in Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Kim Hyun-bin

The Korea Muslim Federation (KMF) celebrated 70 years of Islam in Korea with an international halal seminar and gala dinner in Seoul on Wednesday, bringing together key figures from Islamic countries and domestic halal organizations.

In his opening remarks, Kim Dong-eok, KMF president, expressed deep gratitude to the guests who traveled from abroad to attend the milestone event.

“May the peace of Allah always be with you all,” Kim said. He singled out notable attendees including Ahmad Haikal Hasan, minister of Indonesia’s Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal (BPJPH); Osama bin Ahmad Al-Jaffal, undersecretary of the Saudi Ministry of Religious Affairs; and Saleh I. Babear, secretary-general of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth.

Kim traced the long history of Islamic ties to the Korean Peninsula, noting that Arab merchants were trading with Silla in the middle of the ninth century and that the name “Korea” was first introduced to the West by Arab merchants during the Goryeo Dynasty in the early 11th century. He also cited historical records of Quran recitations at the royal court during the reign of King Sejong in the 15th century.

However, Kim emphasized, Islam began to firmly take root in Korea only in 1950 during the Korean War, when approximately 4,500 Turkish troops deployed as part of U.N. forces introduced the faith while caring for war orphans.

“Koreans who were in despair amid the devastation of war were deeply moved by the humanitarianism and ethical values demonstrated by Turkish soldiers, which became the catalyst for the formation of the Korean Muslim community,” he said.

Today, Korea has 24 mosques and more than 260 prayer halls nationwide, centered around Seoul Central Mosque in Hannam-dong, and a domestic Muslim population of roughly 250,000. Kim highlighted KMF’s plans to promote financial independence, nurture the next generation of leaders and enhance the understanding of Islam among non-Muslims, including publishing Korean translations of the Quran.

“Islam is truly a religion that pursues peace,” Kim said. “KMF will actively strive to contribute to an ideal future where all humanity can coexist peacefully and harmoniously.”

The first part of the event, the 2025 International Halal Seminar-Seoul, featured presentations by leaders from halal certification bodies, including Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia, Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University Halal Science Center and Indonesia’s BPJPH. The second part included a gala dinner with ambassadors, halal industry leaders and other domestic and international guests.

KMF said the event aims to strengthen ties with major halal authorities, expand export opportunities for Korean halal products and advance Korea’s position in the global halal industry.