Korean Muslim Dating App? All Answers

In Islam it is important to know what is halal. The word “halal” can be translated as “permitted, permitted, acceptable or lawful”. The concept of halal food is also well known among those who do not follow the Islamic faith, but what about halal drinks? Is soju halal or haram?

The word haram, which English speakers might translate as “forbidden” or “unclean,” derives from the Arabic “al-ḥarām” ( الحرام ), meaning “the forbidden” or “the unhealthy.” But does soju fall into this category? Read on to find out…

Is soju halal?

Soju is not generally halal. Being alcoholic, with an average alcohol content between 12% and 24%, soju is haram.

But why is alcohol haram? There are a number of statements in Islam that confirm that intoxicants such as alcohol and other drugs are forbidden to those who practice the faith. For example, the Qur’an (verse 4:43) clearly states that Muslims should not pray while drunk.

Similarly, verse 5:90 states that intoxicants are “the work of Satan” or alternatively “Satan’s work” depending on the translation. For this reason, most Muslims interpret the Qur’an as forbidding them from drinking alcoholic beverages.

Is there halal soju?

The good news for Muslims is that a non-alcoholic version of soju was recently introduced in Indonesia. It’s called Mojiso and it’s inspired by the inventor’s love for Korean culture.

It also comes in a variety of flavors, including lychee, lemon, yogurt, and strawberry. We love flavored soju here at DrinkPirate – and you can read our guide to flavored soju here.

Other stores in Indonesia also sell another brand of non-alcoholic soju called Sojugan, which was recently embroiled in a TikTok dispute that viewers were concerned it was actually haram.

So this new strain of Indonesian non-alcoholic soju is something this author would love to try. Unfortunately, to our knowledge, it is not available outside of Indonesia. But if I ever visit Jakarta I will definitely put it on my shopping list!

Different varieties of Halal Soju Mojiso

Is Jinro Soju halal?

Unfortunately, not. Although it will vary depending on the type of jinro soju you drink, everything contains alcohol and – as we said above – most Muslims interpret alcohol as forbidden or haram, as dictated by the Qur’an.

If I don’t drink alcohol, what are the alternatives?

The good news is that soju is commonly mixed with many other non-alcoholic beverages. If you’re out with drinking friends, you can just drink the mixer without the soju.

Some common combinations are Soju and Cola – which you can read about by clicking here – and Soju and Yakult, which you can read more about by following this link.

In Korean bars, soju is usually sold in bottles. For this reason, the mixer is usually served to you separately. That means you can always order extra or make sure you have your own bottle of what you want to drink.

Soju is also often served in shot glasses when drunk neat. For example, if you drink a glass of Coke, it should be difficult to confuse your glass with that of your friends or colleagues!

Conclusion

In summary, most people would say that soju is not halal. Due to its alcohol content, it is generally considered haram. However, there are new non-alcoholic soju varieties that may be suitable for Muslims.

Whether soju is halal or haram is of course a matter of personal interpretation. While the majority of Muslims would consider soju haram, it is important to consult with a religious leader to make an informed decision as to whether or not this is the case for you.

Religious demographics of South Korea

Religion in South Korea is diverse. A majority of South Koreans have no religion. Christianity and Buddhism are the dominant denominations among those who join a formal religion. Buddhism and Confucianism play an influential role in the lives of many South Koreans.[3] Buddhism, which came to Korea in AD 372, has built tens of thousands of temples across the country.[3]

According to the Pew Research Center (2010), about 46% of the population has no religious affiliation, 23% are Buddhists and 29% are Christians.[4] According to the 2015 census, 56.1% are non-religious, Protestantism represents (19.7%) of the total population, Korean Buddhism (15.5%) and Catholicism (7.9%). A small percentage of South Koreans ( 0.8% in total) are members of other religions, including Won Buddhism, Confucianism, Cheondoism, Daesun Jinrihoe, Islam, Daejongism, Jeungsanism, and Orthodox Christianity.[1]

Buddhism was influential in ancient times, and Christianity had influenced large sections of the population in the 18th and 19th centuries, but their membership only grew rapidly in the mid-20th century, as part of the profound changes South Korean society was undergoing over the years went through last century.[5] However, as of 2000, they have shown some decline. Native shamanic religions (e.g. Sindo) remain popular and may represent a large segment of the Unbound. In fact, according to a 2012 poll, only 15% of the population declared themselves non-religious in the sense of “atheism.”[6] According to the 2015 census, the proportion of non-denominational youth is higher, about 69% among 20-year-olds.[7]

Korea entered the 20th century with an already ingrained Christian presence and a large majority of the population practicing the native Sindo religion. The latter never achieved the high status of a national religious culture comparable to Chinese folk religion, Vietnamese folk religion and Japanese Shinto; this weakness of Korean Sindo was one of the reasons that gave free rein to an early and thorough rooting of Christianity.[8] The population also took part in Confucian rites and held private ancestor worships.[5] Organized religions and philosophies belonged to the ruling elites, and the Chinese Empire’s long patronage led these elites to adopt a particularly strict Confucianism (i.e., Korean Confucianism). Despite a once-rich tradition, Korean Buddhism was virtually extinct as a religious institution by the early 20th century, after 500 years of suppression under the Joseon Kingdom.[5][9] Christianity had ancestors as early as the 18th century on the Korean peninsula, when the Seohak philosophical school supported the religion. With the fall of Joseon in the last decades of the 19th century, Koreans largely embraced Christianity as the monarchy itself and intellectuals looked to Western models for modernizing the country and supported the work of Catholic and Protestant missionaries.[10] During Japanese colonization in the first half of the 20th century, Christianity’s identification with Korean nationalism was further strengthened[11] as the Japanese attempted to combine native Sindo with their state Shinto.

With the division of Korea into two states after 1945, the communist north and the capitalist south, the majority of the Korean Christian population, which had until then been in the northern half of the peninsula, fled to South Korea[12].[13] It has been estimated that there were over a million Christians migrating south.[14] During the second half of the 20th century, the South Korean state enacted measures to further marginalize the indigenous Sindo, while at the same time strengthening Christianity and reviving Buddhism.[15] According to scholars, South Korean censuses do not count indigenous Sindo believers and underestimate the number of followers of Sindo sects.[16] Otherwise, statistics compiled by ARDA[17] estimate that as of 2010, 14.7% of South Koreans practice ethnic religion, 14.2% belong to new movements, and 10.9% practice Confucianism.[18]

According to some observers, the sharp decline in some religions (Catholicism and Buddhism) recorded between the 2005 and 2015 censuses is due to the change in survey methodology between the two censuses. While the 2005 census was an analysis of the entire population (“census”) using traditional data sheets prepared by each family, the 2015 census was conducted largely over the internet and was limited to a sample of about 20% of South Korea’s population . It has been argued that the 2015 census disadvantaged the rural population, who are more likely to be Buddhist and Catholic and less internet-savvy, while favoring the Protestant population, who are more urban and have easier access to the internet. Both the Buddhist and Catholic communities have criticized the results of the 2015 census.[7]

Demographics[ edit ]

Religious affiliation by year (1950–2015)[ edit ]

Religious affiliation by age (2015) [ edit ]

Religious affiliation by gender (2015) [ edit ]

history [edit]

Before 1945[edit]

Before the introduction of Buddhism, all Koreans believed in their native religion, which was socially guided by mu (shamans). Buddhism was introduced to the North Korean state of Goguryeo in 372 from the former Chinese Qin state and developed into distinctively Korean forms. At that time the peninsula was divided into three kingdoms: the aforementioned Goguryeo in the north, Baekje in the south-west and Silla in the south-east. Buddhism did not reach Silla until the 5th century, but it was not made the state religion of that kingdom until 552.[23] Buddhism became much more popular in Silla and even in Baekje (both areas that are now part of modern South Korea), while in Goguryeo the Korean indigenous religion remained dominant. In the subsequent unified state of Goryeo (918–1392), Buddhism flourished and even became a political force.[24]

The Joseon Kingdom (1392–1910) adopted a particularly strict version of Neo-Confucianism (ie, Korean Confucianism) and repressed and marginalized Korean Buddhism[25][26] and Korean shamanism[9]. Buddhist monasteries were destroyed, and their number fell from several hundred to only thirty-six; Buddhism was eradicated from the life of the cities, as monks and nuns were forbidden to enter them and marginalized in the mountains.[26] These restrictions lasted into the 19th century.[27]

In the late 19th century, Joseon State collapsed politically and culturally.[28] The intelligentsia sought solutions to enliven and transform the nation.[28] At this critical time, they came into contact with Western Christian missionaries who offered a solution to the Koreans’ plight.[28] Christian communities have existed in Joseon since the 17th century; however, it was not until the 1880s that the government allowed large numbers of Western missionaries into the country.[29] Christian missionaries founded schools, hospitals and publishing houses.[30] The royal family supported Christianity.[31]

During Korea’s absorption into the Japanese Empire (1910–1945), Christianity’s pre-existing association with Korean nationalism was strengthened[11] as the Japanese attempted to impose state Shinto by co-opting native Korean Sindo, and the Christians this refused to participate in Shinto rituals.[11] At the same time, numerous religious movements that attempted to reform Korean indigenous religion, most notably Cheondoism, flourished since the 19th century.[32]

Mudang holding an intestine to appease the enraged spirits of the dead. holding on to appease the angry spirits of the dead.

With the partition of Korea into two states in 1945, the communist north and the anti-communist south, the majority of the Korean Christian population, who had until then been in the northern half of the peninsula, fled to South Korea.[12] 13] Christians resettled to the south numbered more than a million. Cheondoists, concentrated in the north like Christians, remained there after partition,[32] and South Korea now has no more than a few thousand Cheondoists.

The so-called “Movement to Overcome God Worship” promoted by the South Korean governments in the 1970s and 1980s outlawed indigenous cults and obliterated almost all traditional shrines (sadang 사당) of the Confucian kin religion.[33] This was particularly difficult under the rule of the Buddhist Park Chung-hee.[34] This measure, combined with the rapid social changes of the same period,[5] favored a rapid revival of Buddhism as it traditionally blended with folk religion, allowing these traditional believers to express their folk beliefs within the framework of an officially accepted religion.[ 35] During this period there was also a growing trend for Christian churches to register as members of organized religions.[36]

The number of Buddhist temples increased from 2,306 in 1962 to 11,561 in 1997, the Protestant churches increased from 6,785 in 1962 to 58,046 in 1997, the Catholic Church had 313 churches in 1965 and 1,366 in 2005, the Won- Buddhism had 131 temples in 1969 and 418 in 1997.[37] Similarly, the temples of Daesun Jinrihoe have grown from 700 in 1983 to 1,600 in 1994.[38] Census statistics show that the proportion of South Korea’s population who identify themselves as Buddhist has increased from 2.6% in 1962 to 22.8% in 2005,[5] while the proportion of Christians has increased from 5% in 1962 to 29.2% in 2005.[5] However, both religions have experienced a decline between 2005 and 2015, with Buddhism’s influence falling sharply to 15.5% of the population and Christianity’s influence to 27.6% less.[39] [40] Study conducted by a South Korean research journal showing change in religious demographics from 2018 to 2020.

In response to the rapidly changing religious demographics in South Korea, 여론 속의 여론 (Yeo-Lone SUO-k ue yeo-leon), a Korean research journal, conducted a survey of current religious demographics in South Korea. According to the survey, new findings deviate from the traditional sentiments of South Korean culture. In South Korea today[41] 52% of the population is atheist or non-religious. The religious second half of the population breaks down as follows: 18% believe in Protestantism, 16% believe in Buddhism, 13% believe in Catholicism and 1% belong to other religions or cults. In essence, the study results show that 50% of South Koreans are now non-religious, 32% follow some form of Christianity, 16% are Buddhists, and 2% believe in some other form of religion. The departure from traditionally religious South Korean culture and demographics is the rise of atheists.

Prior to this sudden change, A Cohort Analysis of Religious Population Change in Korea[42], launched by the Korean Citation Index, analyzed Korea’s religious demographics from 1999 to 2015. The data from the study focused on understanding religious conversion, change or task within the demographic. Today, the study provided insight into the potential impact of the divergence on South Korea’s religious demographics.

The study, conducted by the research journal 여론 속의 여론 (Yeo-Lone SUO-k ue yeo-leon), discovered that the change in South Korea’s religious demographics stems from youth. South Korea’s younger demographic tends to have a higher percentage of atheists, while the older demographic has remained relatively religious. The study states that 33% of Koreans around the age of 20 believe in the religion, while over 61% of those over 60 continue to believe in the religion. The study also shows that the demographics of believers and non-believers are also influenced by many more variables. For example, the specific religion and the age at which the person was introduced to the religion can affect the likelihood that a person will remain religious throughout their life. Overall, there appears to be a large disparity between those who were introduced to the religion before elementary school and those who were introduced after their 50s. Of 101 people interviewed, 29 were introduced to the religion before elementary school, 18 during elementary school, 9 in their 40s and 7 in their 50s. While Catholicism and Protestantism maintained a similar standard deviation, believers in Buddhism seemed to start doing so during and around the 1930s. As South Korea’s younger generation remains increasingly non-religious, and South Korea is traditionally a religious nation, developments in South Korea’s religious demographics will have many implications for the nation’s culture, politics and way of life.

Protestant attacks on traditional religions

Since the 1980s and 1990s there has been hostility by Protestants against Buddhists and adherents of traditional religions in South Korea. These include the burning of temples, the beheading of Buddha and Bodhisattva statues, and red Christian crosses painted either on statues or on property belonging to other Buddhists or other religions.[43] Some of these acts were even encouraged by church pastors.[43]

Dominant religions[ edit ]

Buddhism[ edit ]

Arrival and distribution since the 4th century [ edit ]

Buddhism (불교/佛敎 Bulgyo) came to Korea from China during the Three Kingdoms period (372 or the 4th century).[23] Buddhism was the predominant religious and cultural influence in the period of the North-South States (698–926) and the subsequent states of Goryeo (918–1392). Confucianism was also brought to Korea from China in the early centuries and formulated in Goryeo as Korean Confucianism. However, it was not until the subsequent Joseon Kingdom (1392–1910) that Korean Confucianism was established as the state ideology and religion, and Korean Buddhism was suppressed for 500 years.[25][26] Buddhism in modern-day South Korea is stronger in the east of the country, namely in the Yeongnam and Gangwon regions and in Jeju.

Denominations[ edit ]

Korean Zen or Seon Buddhism [ edit ]

There are a number of different schools (대한불교/大韓佛敎 Daehanbulgyo) in Korean Buddhism, including Seon (Korean Zen). Seon is represented by the Jogye Order and Taego Order.[45] The overwhelming majority of Buddhist temples in present-day South Korea belong to the dominant Jogye order, traditionally related to the Seon school. The Order’s headquarters are in Jogyesa in central Seoul and operates most of the country’s ancient and famous temples, such as Bulguksa and Beomeosa. Jogye requires her monks to be celibate. The Taego lineage is a form of Seon (Zen) and differs from Seon in that it allows priests to marry.

Jingak and Cheontae Buddhism [ edit ]

The Jingak Order is a modern esoteric form of Vajrayana Buddhism that also allows its priests to marry. Cheontae is a modern revival of the Tiantai lineage in Korea, centered on the Lotus Sutra. Cheontae orders require their monks to be celibate.[45]

Won Buddhism[ edit ]

Won Buddhism (원불교/圓佛敎 Wonbulgyo) is a modern reformed Buddhism that strives to make enlightenment possible for all and applicable to ordinary life. The scriptures and practices are simplified so that everyone can understand them, regardless of wealth, occupation, or other circumstances.[46]

Growth: number of temples by denomination[ edit ]

The syncretic influence of Buddhism on Korean culture[edit]

According to a 2005 government survey, a quarter of South Koreans practice Buddhism.[49] However, the actual number of Buddhists in South Korea is ambiguous because, unlike the Christian population, there is no precise or exclusive criterion by which Buddhists can be identified. With the incorporation of Buddhism into traditional Korean culture, it is now considered more of a philosophy and cultural background than a formal religion. As a result, many people outside of the practicing population are heavily influenced by these traditions. Thus, if one counts the secular believers or those who are influenced by the faith without following other religions, the number of Buddhists in South Korea is considered to be much larger.[50] Similarly, in officially atheist North Korea, while Buddhists officially make up 4.5% of the population, a much larger number (over 70%) of the population is influenced by Buddhist philosophies and customs.[51][52]

Christianity [edit]

Arrival in late 18th century [ edit ]

Foreign Roman Catholic missionaries did not come to Korea until 1794, a decade after the return of Yi Sung-hun, a diplomat who was the first baptized Korean in Beijing.[53] He founded a grassroots lay Catholic movement in Korea. However, the writings of the Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci, who resided at the imperial court in Beijing, had already been brought to Korea from China in the 17th century. Silhak (“practical learning”) scholars were attracted to Catholic teachings, and this was a key factor in the spread of the Catholic faith in the 1790s.[54]

Denominations[ edit ]

Christianity (그리스도교/—-敎 Geurisdogyo or 기독교/基督敎 Gidoggyo, both meaning Religion of Christ) in South Korea is dominated by four denominations: Catholic (천주교/天主敎 pronounced Cheonjugyo), Protestant Presbyterianism (장로교 pronounced Jangnogyo), Methodism (감리교 pronounced Gamnigyo) and Baptists (침례교 pronounced Chimnyegyo). The Yoido Full Gospel Church is the largest Pentecostal church in the country. There are also some non-denominational churches.[55] According to the 2015 census, there were 9.6 million Protestants and 3.8 million Catholics. There are also small Eastern Orthodox communities.

Protestantism[ edit ]

Protestant missionaries arrived in Korea in the 1880s and, along with Catholic priests, converted a notable number of Koreans, this time with the support of the royal government operating at a time of deep internal crises (due to the end of centuries of long patronage from a then-weakened China). [31] The lack of a national religious system compared to China and Japan (Korean Sindo never rose to high status as an institutional and civic religion) gave the Christian churches a free hand.[8] Methodist and Presbyterian missionaries were particularly successful. They founded schools, universities, hospitals and orphanages and played a significant role in modernizing the country.[30]

Catholicism[ edit ]

The infiltration of Western ideas and Christianity into Korea became known as Seohak (“Western learning”). An 1801 study found that more than half of families who converted to Catholicism were affiliated with the Seohak school.[56] Largely because converts refused to perform Confucian ancestral rituals, the Joseon government banned Christian proselytizing. Some Catholics were executed in the early 19th century, but the restrictive law was not strictly enforced. A large number of Christians lived in the northern part of the peninsula (it was part of the so-called “Manchurian Revival”)[31] where Confucian influence was not as strong as in the south.[12] Before 1948, Pyongyang was an important Christian center: one sixth of the approximately 300,000 inhabitants were converts. After the establishment of the communist regime in the north, it is estimated that more than a million Korean Christians resettled in South Korea to escape persecution from North Korea’s anti-Christian policies.[13] Catholicism in Korea grew significantly in the 1970s to 1980s.[57]

Orthodoxy[ edit ]

Orthodox Christian missionaries came to Korea from Russia in 1900. In 1903 the first Eastern Orthodox Church was established in Korea. However, the Russo-Japanese War in 1904 and the Russian Revolution in 1917 interrupted the mission’s activities. After the North Army kidnapped Korea’s then only Orthodox priest, Fr. Alexi Kim, at the start of the Korean War in 1950 and after the building of St. Nicholas Church was destroyed by the 1951 Seoul bombing raids the small flock of orthodox believers threatened with annihilation. In 1955, the Orthodox believers of Korea wrote a letter to the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate asking to submit to the spiritual care and jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Her request was granted, and the development and growth of the Church in Korea began to accelerate. Today, Korea’s approximately 5,000 Orthodox believers are under the authority of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, whose Holy Synod elevated the thriving church in Korea to a “metropolis” in 2004 and was set up in Seoul in 2013 for Egyptian Copts and Ethiopians living in South Korea.[59]

Other [edit]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South Korea was organized after Kim Ho Jik’s baptism in 1951,[60] and had 81,628 members as of 2012, with a temple in Seoul.[61] four Mormon missions (Seoul, Daejeon, Busan, and Seoul South),[62] 128 congregations, and 24 genealogy centers.[63]

The Unification Church of Sun Myung Moon (통일교 Tongilgyo)[64] is a new religious movement founded by Sun Myung Moon in South Korea in 1954 that has funded many organizations and businesses in the fields of news media, education, politics, and social engagement.[65 ] In 2003, members of the Korean Unification Church founded a political party called The Party for God, Peace, Unification, and Homeland.[66]

The Church of God of the World Mission Society and the Altar of Victory are other new religious movements in Korea that have their roots in Christianity.

Anabaptist churches have not gained a strong foothold on the peninsula. Quaker thought briefly attracted a national following in the late 20th century due to the efforts of Ham Seok-heon. After Ham’s death, however, interest in Quakerism waned. The condition of Unitarianism is similar. [citation required]

Causes of the growth of Christianity[edit]

Factors that contributed to the growth of Catholicism and Protestantism included the decayed state of Korean Buddhism, the support of the intellectual elite and the promotion of self-sufficiency and self-government among members of the Korean Church, and eventually Christianity’s identification with Korean nationalism .[31] Christianity grew significantly in the 1970s and 1980s. It continued to grow in the 1990s and 2000s, but at a slower pace. Christianity is particularly prevalent in the west of the country, including Seoul, Incheon, and the Gyeonggi and Honam regions.[55]

Resistance to syncretic traditions

Fundamentalist Christians continue to reject the syncretic aspects of culture, including Confucian traditions and ancestral rites, which are practiced even by secular people and adherents of other faiths.[67][68][69][70][71][50] Consequently, many Korean Christians, especially Protestants, have abandoned these native Korean traditions.[72][55] Protestants in Korea have a history of attacks on Buddhism and other traditional religions of Korea with arson and vandalism of temples and statues, some of these acts of hostility being sponsored by the church.[43]

After [when?] the Pope lifted the ban on syncretic traditions,[67] many Korean Catholics openly observe jesa (ancestral rites); The Korean tradition is very different from the institutional religious ancestral worship found in China and Japan and can be easily integrated as an adjunct to Catholicism. In contrast, the Protestants have abandoned the practice altogether.[55]

Indigenous religions[ edit ]

A Sindo (shamanic) shrine in Inwangsan Inner altar of a Sindo shrine, Ansan.

Korean shamanism[ edit ]

Korean shamanism, also known as “Muism” (무교 mugyo, “mu [shaman] religion”)[73] and “Sindo” (신도) or “Sinism” (신교 singyo “way of the gods”).[74][74 ][] 75] is the native religion of the Koreans.[76][Note 1] Although used interchangeably, the two terms are not identical:[76] Jung Young Lee describes Muism as a form of Sindo – the shamanic tradition within the religion .[77] Particularly similar to Japanese Shinto, in contrast to it and the religious systems of China, Korean Sindo never developed into a national religious culture.[8][Clarification needed]

Chaekbawi Shrine at Mungyeong Saejae Samseonggung Shrine, a shrine for the worship of Hwanin, Hwanung and Dangun. Pavilions, a shrine for the worship of Hwanin, Hwanung and Dangun.

In contemporary Korean, the shaman priest or mu (hanja: 巫) is known as mudang (hangul: 무당 hanja: 巫堂) when female or baksu when male, although other names and idioms are used. [76] [Note 2 ] Korean mu “shaman” is synonymous with Chinese wu, meaning both male and female priests.[77] The role of the mudang is to act through viscera (rituals) as an intermediary between the spirits or gods and the human plane, trying to resolve problems in the developmental patterns of human life.[79]

Central is the interaction with Haneullim or Hwanin, meaning “source of all being”,[80] and all gods of nature,[77] the supreme god or spirit.[81] The mu are mythically described as descendants of the “heavenly king”, son of the “holy mother [heavenly king]”, with investiture often passed down the female line of princes.[82] However, other myths link the legacy of the traditional beliefs to Dangun, the male son of the heavenly king and initiator of the Korean nation.[83]

In addition to Japanese Shinto, the Korean religion also shares similarities with Chinese Wuism[84] and is related to the Siberian, Mongolian, and Manchurian religious traditions.[84] Some studies trace the Korean ancestral god Dangun to the Ural-Altaic Tengri “heaven”, the shaman and the prince.[85][86] In the dialects of some provinces of Korea, the shaman is called dangul dangul-ari.[80] The mudang is similar to the Japanese miko and the ryukyuan yuta. Muism has exerted influence on some new Korean religions such as Cheondoism and Jeungsanism. According to various sociological studies, Korea’s type of Christianity owes much of its success to aboriginal shamanism, which provided a congenial way of thinking and models for rooting the religion.[87]

In the 1890s, the last decades of the Joseon Kingdom, Protestant missionaries gained significant influence and carried out press demonization of native religion and even campaigns to physically suppress local cults.[88] The Protestant discourse would have influenced any further attempts to uproot the native religion.[88] The “Movement to Destroy Sindo” carried out in South Korea in the 1970s and 1980s destroyed much of the physical heritage of Korean religion (temples and shrines),[33] particularly during the regime of President Park Chung-hee. [34] [89][90] Recently, there has been a revival of shamanism in South Korea.[91][92]

Cheondoism[edit]

Cheondoism (천도교 Cheondogyo) is a fundamentally Confucian religious tradition derived from indigenous Sinism. It is the religious dimension of the Donghak (‘Eastern Learning’) movement, founded in 1860 by Choe Je-u (1824–1864), a member of an impoverished yangban family (aristocracy),[93] as a counterforce to ascension” fremder Religionen”,[94] zu denen seiner Ansicht nach Buddhismus und Christentum gehörten (Teil von Seohak, der Welle westlichen Einflusses, die Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts in das koreanische Leben eindrang).[94] Choe Je-u gründete den Cheondoismus, nachdem er angeblich durch eine Erfahrung von Sangje oder Haneullim, dem Gott des universellen Himmels im traditionellen Schamanismus, von einer Krankheit geheilt worden war.[94]

Die Donghak-Bewegung wurde unter den einfachen Leuten so einflussreich, dass die Joseon-Regierung Choe Je-u 1864 zum Tode verurteilte.[94] Die Bewegung wuchs und 1894 führten die Mitglieder zur Donghak-Bauernrevolution gegen die königliche Regierung. Mit der Teilung Koreas im Jahr 1945 blieb der größte Teil der cheondoistischen Gemeinschaft im Norden, wo die Mehrheit von ihnen lebte.[32] Heute leben nur noch wenige Tausend von ihnen in Südkorea.

Die soziale und historische Bedeutung der Donghak-Bewegung und des Cheondoismus wurde in Südkorea weitgehend ignoriert,[95] im Gegensatz zu Nordkorea, wo der Cheondoismus positiv als Volksbewegung (minjung) angesehen wird.[95]

Andere Sekten [ bearbeiten ]

Neben dem Cheondoismus wurden zwischen dem Ende des 19. Jahrhunderts und den frühen Jahrzehnten des 20. Jahrhunderts andere Sekten gegründet, die auf indigener Religion basieren. Dazu gehören der Daejongismus (대종교 Daejonggyo),[96] der als zentrales Glaubensbekenntnis die Verehrung von Dangun, dem legendären Gründer von Gojoseon, hat, das als erstes proto-koreanisches Königreich gilt; und eine Splittersekte des Cheondoismus: Suwunismus. [citation required]

Der Jeungsanismus (증산교 Jeungsangyo) definiert eine Religionsfamilie, die im frühen 20. Jahrhundert[97] gegründet wurde und die magische Praktiken und tausendjährige Lehren von Kang Jeungsan (Gang Il-Sun) betont. Es gibt mehr als hundert “Jeungsan-Religionen”, einschließlich des inzwischen aufgelösten Bocheonismus: Die größte in Korea ist derzeit Daesun Jinrihoe (대순진리회), ein Ableger des noch existierenden Taegeukdo (태극도), während Jeungsando (증산도) die größte ist im Ausland aktiv.[98]

Es gibt auch eine Reihe kleiner religiöser Sekten, die rund um Gyeryongsan (“Hahn-Drachen-Berg”, immer eine der heiligsten Gegenden Koreas) in der Provinz Süd-Chungcheong entstanden sind, dem ursprünglich angenommenen zukünftigen Ort der Gründung einer neuen Dynastie im 18. Jahrhundert (oder davor) prophezeit. Der japanische Tennisismus (천리교 Cheonligyo) behauptet ebenfalls, Tausende von südkoreanischen Mitgliedern zu haben.[99]

Laut Andrew Eungi Kim gab es in den späten 1900er Jahren einen Aufstieg neuer religiöser Bewegungen, die etwa 10 Prozent aller Kirchen in Südkorea ausmachen. Laut Kim ist dies das Ergebnis ausländischer Invasionen sowie widersprüchlicher Ansichten in Bezug auf soziale und politische Fragen. Viele der neuen religiösen Bewegungen haben einen synkretistischen Charakter.[100]

Andere Religionen [Bearbeiten]

Schrein einer konfuzianischen Schule in Gangneung seowon (konfuzianische Privatschule) aus der Joseon-Ära. Chisan Seowon, eine (private konfuzianische Schule) der Joseon-Ära. Ritual in einem konfuzianischen Tempel (vor 1935).

Bahá’í-Glaube [ bearbeiten ]

Baháʼí Faith wurde zuerst von einer Amerikanerin namens Agnes Alexander nach Korea eingeführt.[101]

Konfuzianismus [ bearbeiten ]

Nur wenige zeitgenössische Südkoreaner identifizieren sich als Anhänger des Konfuzianismus (유교 Yugyo). Koreanische Intellektuelle entwickelten historisch einen ausgeprägten koreanischen Konfuzianismus.[102][103] Mit dem Ende des Joseon-Staates und dem Schwinden des chinesischen Einflusses im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert wurde der Konfuzianismus jedoch aufgegeben. Der Einfluss des konfuzianischen ethischen Denkens bleibt in anderen religiösen Praktiken und in der koreanischen Kultur im Allgemeinen stark. Konfuzianische Rituale werden immer noch zu verschiedenen Jahreszeiten praktiziert. Die bekanntesten davon sind die jährlichen Riten, die im Schrein des Konfuzius in Seoul abgehalten werden. Andere Riten, zum Beispiel die zu Ehren von Clan-Gründern, werden an Schreinen im ganzen Land abgehalten.[104][105]

Hinduism [edit]

Hinduism (힌두교 Hindugyo) is practiced among South Korea’s small Indian, Nepali and Balinese migrant community. However, Hindu traditions such as yoga and Vedanta have attracted interest among younger South Koreans. Hindu temples in the Korea include the Sri Radha Shyamasundar Mandir in central Seoul, Sri Lakshmi Narayanan Temple in metropolitan Seoul, Himalayan Meditation and Yoga Sadhana Mandir in Seocho in Seoul, and Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple in Uijeongbu 20 km away on outskirt of Seoul.[citation needed]

Islam [edit]

Islam (이슬람교 Iseullamgyo) in South Korea is represented by a community of roughly 40,000 Muslims, mainly composed by people who converted during the Korean War and their descendants and not including migrant workers from South and Southeast Asia. The largest mosque is the Seoul Central Mosque in the Itaewon district of Seoul; smaller mosques can be found in most of the country’s major cities.[citation needed] There are around a hundred thousand foreign workers from Muslim countries, particularly Indonesians, Malaysians, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis.[106]

Judaism [edit]

The Jewish existence in South Korea effectively began with the dawn of the Korean War in 1950. At this time a large number of Jewish soldiers, including the chaplain Chaim Potok, came to the Korean peninsula. Today the Jewish community is very small and limited to the Seoul Capital Area. There have been very few Korean converts to Judaism (유대교 Yudaegyo).[citation needed]

Shinto [ edit ]

Keijyo Shinto Shrine, prior to 1935, Seoul

During Japan’s colonisation of Korea (1910–1945), given the suggested common origins of the two peoples, Koreans were considered to be outright part of the Japanese population, to be wholly assimilated. The Japanese studied and coopted native Sindo by overlapping it with their State Shinto (similar measures of assimilation were applied to Buddhism), which hinged upon the worship of Japanese high gods and the emperor’s godhead. Hundreds of Japanese Shinto shrines were built throughout the peninsula.[107] This policy led to massive conversion of Koreans to Christian churches, which were already well ingrained in the country, representing a concern for the Japanese program, and supported Koreans’ independence.[108] After the Allied forces defeated Japan in 1945, Korea was liberated from Japanese rule. As soon as the Shinto priests withdrew to Japan, all Shinto shrines in Korea were either destroyed or converted into another use.[citation needed]

Sikhism[ edit ]

Sikhs have been in South Korea for 50 years. The first South Korean gurdwara was established in 2001.[109] There are about 550 Sikhs in South Korea, now recently the Sikhs in South were allowed to acquire South Korean citizenship.[110]

See also[edit]

^ Shinto and Chinese Shendao. Cognates of Japaneseand Chinese ^ dangol (Hangul: 당골 mudang is mostly associated, though not exclusively, to female shamans due to their prevalence in the Korean tradition in recent centuries. This has brought to the development of other locutions for male shamans, including sana mudang (literally “male mudang”) in the Seoul area or baksu mudang (“healer mudang”), shortened to baksu, in the Pyongyang area. It is reasonable to believe that the word baksu is an ancient authentic designation for male shamans.[78] Another term is). The wordis mostly associated, though not exclusively, to female shamans due to their prevalence in the Korean tradition in recent centuries. This has brought to the development of other locutions for male shamans, including(literally “male”) in the Seoul area or(“healer”), shortened to, in the Pyongyang area. It is reasonable to believe that the wordis an ancient authentic designation for male shamans.

References[ edit ]

She says, “This is halal.” He says, “No, it is haram.” Thus begins an online dating conversation in the world of Islam.

Online dating is a relatively new phenomenon. There are few hard and fast rules that guide a prospective Muslim couple’s online dating behavior.

Instead, the future husband and wife must use their best judgment. A judgment based on ancient writings mixed with the unpredictable conventions of the online dating scene.

Not everyone in the online dating community, let alone every devout Muslim, is up to speed on the terms that separate ‘haram’ from ‘halal’. However, as we shall explain, this is more than a simple case of “he said/she said”.

What are Halal and Haram?

The Holy Quran and Islamic Law (Shari’ah) see Halal and Haram as opposites. Halal is an accepted behavior while haram is usually perceived as a sin.

Much is at stake in distinguishing the two. In today’s global society, such a distinction can be all but impossible. There are too many contingencies.

Halal vs Haram

These contrasting concepts most likely stem from Islam itself, between late B.C. and early AD At this time, they seemed most commonly related to dietary and health decisions. Muslims still speak of “haram food” and “halal food”.

Still, these concepts ultimately come down to people’s personal choices. These choices go beyond the realm of food, both literally and metaphorically.

For example, “riba”, meaning interest on money, possibly usury, is haram. Engaging in an unequal exchange with another person creates an exploitative relationship. So it is sinful.

However, if someone donates the interest (e.g. stock dividends) to a charity, it is halal.

Another example of the fine line between halal and haram is streaming TV services. The viewer has to make a judgement. This call relates to factors such as:

content of the program

time spent viewing

How the Streaming Companies Use Subscriber Payments

How does halal vs haram play out in online dating?

The Role of Online Dating in Islam

It is well known that devout Muslims draw a line between the dating style sanctioned by Islam and what happens to couples of other (often Western) faiths.

Islamic Marriage Traditions

Isn’t it surprising that Muslims are dating at all, including online? Traditionally, marriages in Islam are arranged by parents and other relatives who act as “matchmakers.”

When an eager family networks with members of other marriage-ready sons or daughters, they hope to find a perfect match for the most suitable future wife or husband.

Once a family has identified a possible future spouse, the couple moves into a courtship phase. One or more companions accompany them to dinners and other events so that they can get to know each other.

However, in many cases today, courtship can go in different directions:

If both members of the couple agree that the match is a good one, they continue courting until someone sets a marriage date.

One or both members of the couple could join the courtship to ease family worries – while discreetly dating others.

The whole family (or most of them) agrees that in the 21st century a single person may need more leeway when choosing a future partner.

What, then, should be permissible in today’s Muslim dating protocols, especially given the social prohibitions surrounding the COVID-19 epidemic?

Online dating for muslims today

In recent decades, some Muslim families have compromised on traditions and expectations. Career-oriented young people are confronted with different realities than their parents due to changing cultural norms.

Like members of other faiths, many Muslims today live and work far from their families and their expectations. While some still adhere to Islamic beliefs and practices, some rituals are no longer feasible.

A young Muslim career woman cannot wait for her mother or another family member to join her on a date when they live many miles away. Also, living in a predominantly non-Muslim place can bring new pressures.

What about work-related social invitations from culturally diverse groups? These can be both tempting and necessary. A young Muslim may not want or expect to be excused from such an event for religious reasons.

Online dating – at least certain sites recognized by Islam – serves as a kind of compromise. It provides neutral ground for independently minded young adults and their more conservative elders and family members.

The latter want to protect the former from sinful actions.

Is Online Dating Allowed in Islam?

As previously mentioned, the line between halal and haram can be blurred. And as we all know, dating brings people very close, if not beyond, that line.

For those looking for a way to find a future spouse and uphold Sharia law, using the right online dating site could be the answer. However, it cannot be just any website.

For halal online dating, the site must understand and promote compliance with Islamic law. However, as with any belief, it depends on how young people interpret dating rules, how they process this law.

What follows is a brief discussion of some of the most popular Muslim dating sites and the degree to which each adheres to Sharia.

muzmatch

Muzmatch was the first and now “world’s largest” single Muslim community to find partners. The company was founded in 2014 by an engineer and a former banker to solve the Muslim dating dilemma.

As one of the founding partners explained, “For Muslims, marriage is such a big part of their lives. We’re not really dating, we’re getting married.”

Still, Muzmatch owes much of its success to its ability to combine cultural expectations with the chattiness and other conventions of most online social media interactions — not significantly different than other dating sites.

An exception might be Muzmatch’s option to invite an online “companion”.

minder

At the other end of the Muslim online dating spectrum is Minder, often referred to as “the Muslim Tinder”. This dating app launched a year after Muzmatch – and with a slightly different approach.

For example, when creating dating profiles, new members are asked to indicate their religiousness on a scale from “not practicing” to “very religious”.

While of some relevance to non-Muslims, for Muslims such information is essential to success in dating. The same applies to the question about the Islamic sect to which a member belongs.

ESHQ

Following the precedent set by religion-neutral app Bumble, ESHQ has turned the tables and put Muslim women in charge of their dating experience. As the site puts it:

“We want you to take responsibility for conversations. Ladies, if there is a mutual match, you have 48 hours to start the conversation. Of course, fancy pickup lines are optional, but you’ll be surprised how far they can take you.”

Many women are happy about slower, longer advertising processes.

pure marriage

Pure Matrimony has a clear purpose: for the subscriber to find a marriage partner in the fastest, yet most traditional Muslim way.

They explain: “Our ethos is based on the Ayah of the Quran, in which Allah says: ‘Women of purity are for men of purity and men of purity are for women of purity'” (Quran 24:26).

Hawaya and other newcomers to the traditional Islamic online dating scene have missions similar to Pure Matrimony.

Other Muslim Dating Sites

Among several other Muslim dating sites that have sprung up in recent years are Muslima, MalaysianCupid, Shaadi and eHarmony. The last, eHarmony, was originally a conservative Christian-leaning dating site.

Launched in the US in 2000, the values ​​and eHarmony’s unique personality tests have resonated with some US Muslims. At that time there were no Muslim-specific online dating sites.

Now eHarmony has a website that caters directly to Muslims. It includes “mature” Muslim singles, as does another newer dating site, Islamic Marriage.

These older Muslims include widowed men and women and those who have not found a wife or husband. Most dating sites overlook this population.

The Verdict: Is Online Dating Haram or Halal?

The 21st century has rapidly and often unpredictably changed the way people interact socially. Cultural norms and generational differences, which have always caused friction, are still being felt.

Nonetheless, generational differences, sometimes even outright conflicts, have always played a role in cultural evolution.

Ultimately, many Muslim parents (even some grandparents) see online dating sites as a suitable compromise between different generations and cultural expectations.

Is online dating halal in Islam? There is no right answer to this as halal vs haram boils down to a person’s choices and behaviors.

While most online Muslim dating sites strive to be halal, they (and we) can only hope their subscribers comply.

The Future of Muslim Courtship and Marriage

Muslim parents and other relatives might be relieved at the opportunities online dating sites offer young people. After all, the goal of these sites is to help their children find spouses.

Could older generations also be afraid of a possible dissolution of the values ​​that have held Islam together for centuries? And how long will the line between halal and haram remain a solid one? Only time can tell.

However, at Crescent Wealth we remain steadfast in our support of the Islamic faith. We will continue to uphold his values ​​and exemplify them to future generations through our principles and our actions.

Contact us today!

It’s a total waste of money. Most games are either fake or ridiculous. It’s just small talk (maybe with bots). No lady is serious. Women are more serious and also more beautiful on Seek4Her.com

– Muslim women can also be found there. This is the guaranteed dating site and they actually do what they promise. But you have to be able to travel. I’ve already had 4 real dates. All the women were very sweet, handsome and sincere. So now I’m trying to remove my profile from MuzMatch as I definitely don’t need this time wasting site anymore. It’s not as easy as it should be. They still want to bill me for the next month. Be careful with MuzMatch. There are so many warning signs of scams!

Food for the Seoul

Seoul might require a little more effort. But no fuss, a little research and preparation ahead of time will solve this problem. Here’s a guide to 10 restaurants in and around Seoul to start your culinary adventure! Oh Korea, the land of addictive K-pop, tear-jerking K-drama, elaborate skincare, and of course, delicious cuisine! While you can easily find Halal-certified Korean restaurants in Malaysia, scouting for a restaurant can be a bit more of a hassle. But no fuss, a little research and preparation ahead of time will solve this problem. Here’s a guide to 10 restaurants in and around Seoul to start your culinary adventure!

The best halal restaurants in Seoul, South Korea

1. Busan Jib Halal Food

A must-see when in Seoul is the famous shopping streets of Myeongdong. After a long and busy day of hunting for deals, nothing beats the comfort of a delicious meal to enjoy. Despite the name, this restaurant in the heart of Seoul offers a menu of comforting, local dishes!

Address: 11-4 Myeongdong 8-gil, Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

2. EID – Korean Halal Food

When it comes to halal food and Seoul, one name that comes up a lot is EID. This Korean Muslim family-run restaurant near Seoul Central Mosque is popular with many Muslim travelers. Immerse yourself in their authentic Korean cuisine like bibimbap, bulgogi and unlimited banchan (side dishes)!

Address: 67 Usadan-ro 10-gil, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea

3. Makan Halal Restaurant

Just a few doors down from EID you will find another Muslim friendly restaurant called Makan Halal Restaurant. This restaurant in Itaewon offers a selection of local favorites such as beef bulgogi, dakdoritang (spicy stewed chicken), mulnaengmyeon (cold noodles) and more, as well as dosirak (Korean packed lunches) if you prefer to take something to go!

Address: 52, Usadan-ro 10 gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea 140-911

4. Halal cuisine Korea

Located in the charming cultural village of Bukchon Hanok Village, Halal Kitchen Korea is the perfect pit stop after a hard afternoon of relentless climbs. Housed in a cozy traditional Korean hanok, you’ll find dishes like dakgalbi, bulgogi, bibimbap to name a few. Good food, great views and great atmosphere, no wonder this restaurant is a hit!

Address: 86-2 Samcheong-ro, Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea, South Korea

5. Chunya Daegutang

In the middle of Hongdae’s bustling streets is this unassuming eatery specializing in cod soup. Chunja Daegutang uses cod as its signature ingredient and turns it into delicious dishes ranging from daegu-ppoljjim (steamed cod cheeks) to daegu-jeongol (cod stew). So if you are ever in this area you should definitely stop by this restaurant.

Address: 375-44, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul

6. Yang Good Grill

Well, what’s a visit to Korea without a BBQ, right? Although it is almost impossible to find a halal-friendly restaurant, all hope is not lost! Yang Good BBQ in Gangnam uses Halal certified meat imported from Australia. Their lamb comes marinated and not marinated. Note, however, that since this restaurant is also popular with locals, they also serve alcohol.

Address: 15, Nonhyeon-ro 95-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea

7.Osegyehyang

While not specifically a Halal-certified restaurant, Osegyehyang is a soy-based vegan restaurant. Located in Insadong, you can dine casually and try a few of their plant-based dishes such as ttukbulgui (stone-bowl veggie meat), bulgui deopbap (veggie-meat rice) and more. Using high-quality soy protein and perilla oil in their ingredients will definitely leave you feeling great after eating.

Address: 14-5 Insadong 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

8. Balwoo Gongyang

Another plant-based restaurant in Seoul worth checking out is Balwoo Gongyang. Following the principles of Buddhism and traditional Korean cuisine, they only use organic vegetarian food in their cooking. They also rule out the use of spicy vegetables like scallions, onions, chives, leeks, and garlic. It doesn’t seem like much on paper, but the food sure is good, as the Michelin guide can attest.

Address: 56 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno 1(il).2(i).3(sam).4(sa), Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

9. BoA Travel House

Though not a full-fledged restaurant per se, this guest house in Hongdae is known for its homemade halal dosirak (Korean packed lunches). As well as entertaining the Muslim customers of the BoA Travel House, you can also dine in the guest house’s restaurant or order your dosirak to take away!

Address: 15, Sinchon-ro 1-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea 120836

10. Dongmoon on Nami Island

Although Nami Island is not located in Seoul, many travelers visiting the city will most likely also take a trip to this famous spot. While restaurants and cafes are plentiful on Nami Island, finding a Halal place can prove difficult. In Dongmoon you will find a selection of local specialties as well as other Asian cuisines.

Address: 198 Bangha-ri, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, South Korea

Start your search adventure in Seoul

As we know, kimchi gets its intense flavors from being fermented. Since the fermentation process involves the production of alcohol, it’s not uncommon to ask – is kimchi halal?

Yes, kimchi is actually halal. Because of the tiny amounts of alcohol released during fermentation, you won’t feel the effects of eating kimchi.

Therefore, eating kimchi is permissible for Muslims. Read on to find out more.

Does kimchi contain alcohol?

Since alcohol is a consequence of fermentation, technically it is, even though the alcohol content is extremely low.

Fermented vegetables, mainly fermented cabbage, are used to make kimchi. Many helpful microorganisms are created during the fermentation process, including lactic acid bacteria.

Alcohol is produced as a by-product of various fermentation processes.

Lactic acid is the primary by-product of making kimchi. Lactic acid bacteria help convert carbohydrates and sugars into lactic acid.

When kimchi ferments, it can produce ethanol as a by-product.

However, it only occurs in trace amounts, most of which evaporate or ferment into vinegar. A small amount of alcohol is found in typical kimchi.

There are vegan and halal options for the traditional version of kimchi (according to Islamic dietary laws). However, due to the many variations of kimchi, not all are vegan or halal by definition.

Seafood, shrimp, fish sauce, etc. are all used in specific variations.

The amount of alcohol in your kimchi also depends on the variety you’re making.

If your kimchi smells sour or alcoholic, it may be past its prime and should be thrown away. To learn more about kimchi and its alcohol content, read my article here.

Is Kimchi Halal or Haram?

If there is no evidence in the Qur’an or Sunnah to indicate that a meal is haram and should not be consumed, it is generally considered halal (and therefore permissible) in Islam.

Pork is an example of haram food.

There is no direct evidence in the Qur’an or any hadith identifying kimchi as haram. Therefore it is considered halal.

According to Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen’s fatwa, a modest amount of intoxicating alcohol is permitted.

Islamic scholars have stated that fermentation of food is permissible.

However, according to an online fatwa, even if a small amount of alcohol is used to make a non-intoxicating substance, it is still considered pure and halal.

We can conclude that kimchi can be eaten because it has been approved as halal.

FAQ

Are kimchi noodles halal?

Most brands of kimchi noodles are halal.

Adding kimchi and a spicy Korean sauce to simple stir-fried noodles transforms the dish into something special. But since kimchi is halal, so are kimchi noodles.

Brands usually write on the packaging that the noodles are halal.

For example, a famous kimchi noodle brand, Nongshim Kimchi Ramyun Ramen Noodles, is halal certified.

If you are unsure about a particular brand, look at the back of the packaging.

Is Kimchi Ramyun halal?

Yes, and the same rule applies to kimchi noodles. Always check the packaging to see if the kimchi ramyun is halal.

After South Korean instant noodle maker Samyang was involved in a pig-related ramen incident in Indonesia earlier this year, it claims its products are now certified halal and safe for consumption by Muslims.

The Halal Committee of the Korean Muslim Federation has recognized Samyang’s instant noodles as halal.

Halal-certified products bear the seal of the Korea Muslim Federation on their packaging and are manufactured on specific production lines within a specific facility.

In 2011, Shin Ramyun from Nongshim was also granted Halal certification.

in summary

There are several kimchi recipes, and none of them require alcohol. However, a tiny amount of alcohol is produced during fermentation.

Kimchi can be eaten as long as the amount consumed is small enough not to have the same effect on the body as regular alcohol; therefore it can be considered admissible.

However, if eating kimchi is still a problem, fresh kimchi is an option. Because it isn’t fermented, it doesn’t contain any alcohol (although I don’t think it tastes as good as regular, fermented kimchi).

Korean Pronunciation English Description Ordering tip

순두부찌개 sundubu jjigae Soft Tofu Stew Hot and spicy jjigae (stew) made with uncurdled dubu (tofu), seafood (oysters, clams, and shrimp are common ingredients), vegetables, mushrooms, onions, and chili pepper paste. MEAT WARNING: Some restaurants serve meat (mostly pork) so please check with the waiter. PEPPER GAUGE: Maybe hot for some people.

된장찌개 doenjang jjigae stew with soybean paste A jjigae (stew) made from doenjang (soybean paste). Common ingredients include vegetables, seafood, and dubu (tofu). This is one of the most popular everyday dishes in Korea along with kimchi jjigae. MEAT WARNING: Contains seafood in most cases, but may contain meat, so check with your waiter.

차돌 된장찌개 chadol doenjang jjigae Soybean paste stew with beef brisket A variety of Doenjang jjigae that contains beef brisket. If you like doenjang jjigae and are ok with beef, this is the meal for you! MEAT WARNING: If you don’t eat beef, you should consult your waiter.

김치찌개 kimchi jjigae Kimchi stew Hot and spicy jjigae (Korean stew) made with kimchi and other ingredients such as scallions, onions, diced tofu, pork and seafood, although pork and seafood are not generally used in the same recipe. One of the most popular everyday dishes in Korea – must try. MEAT WARNING: Ask your waiter to cook it without pork. The stew base is always seafood (pork in some cases).

비빔밥 Bibimbap Bibimbap A typical Korean dish that means “mixed rice”. Served as a bowl of warm white rice, topped with namul (sautéed and seasoned vegetables) and chilli paste. A raw or fried egg and sliced ​​meat (usually beef) are common additions. The ingredients are thoroughly mixed together just before eating. In 2011, bibimbap was ranked 40th in the readers’ poll of the 50 Most Delicious Foods in the World (CNN Travel). MEAT WARNING: If you don’t want beef, let your waiter know in advance. PEPPER KNIFE: Make sure you don’t put too much chilli paste in, although you can always ask your waiter for extra rice if it’s too spicy.

굴국밥 gul gukbap Oyster Rice Soup A hot oyster soup eaten in a single stone pot with rice. Sometimes a raw egg is added and is considered the Korean version of chicken soup to fight the common cold. They ground according to taste made cool.

콩나물국밥 kongnamul gukbap Bean Sprout Rice Soup A kongnamul-guk (bean sprout soup) served in a hot stone pot with rice. A simple and healthy food, most Koreans seek this dish as a cure for a hangover or as a comfort food for a cold. Added ground chili to taste.

낙지덮밥 nakji deopbap Squid Rice A squid is cut into bite-sized pieces along with carrots, onions, spring onions and watercress. Fried over a strong fire and mixed with pre-cooked rice and chilli powder. If you like the combination of seafood and spices, you will fall in love with this one! PEPPER AD: If you’re not too good with hot spices, ask your waiter to go easy on the cool paste.

낙지볶음 nakji bokkeum Fried Squid Minced squid and vegetables such as onion, spring onion, cabbage and carrot are marinated with gochujang (hot pepper paste), soy sauce, garlic, salt and sugar. Then they are fried together. Octopus is a low-calorie food, so it’s believed to be good for endurance. In Korea, nakji bokkeum is served spicy, so people usually add shellfish soup to it to reduce the feeling of spiciness. Mugyo-dong in Seoul has been famous for its delicious Nakji Bokkeum restaurants since the 1960s.

회덮밥 hoe deopbap rice with sliced ​​raw fish Rice mixed with sliced ​​or diced raw fish, various vegetables such as lettuce, cucumber and sesame leaves, sesame oil and chogochujang (vinegar, chilli paste, sugar). In general, use halibut, sea bass, rockfish, tuna, salmon, or whitefish. PEPPER AD: Be careful how much hot sauce you mix in.

김치볶음밥 Kimchi Bokkeumbap Kimchi Fried Rice Kimchi bokkeumbap is a variation of bokkeumbap (fried rice dishes). Its name literally means “fried kimchi rice”. Kimchi bokkeumbap is made primarily with kimchi and rice along with other available ingredients such as diced vegetables, eggs, and/or meat. MEAT WARNING: This dish is often paired with foreign cuisines and may contain meats such as bacon. Ask your waiter before placing an order.

해물볶음밥 haemul bokkeumbap Seafood Fried Rice Fried rice made with seafood (prawns, mussels, squid, etc.) and rice, along with other available ingredients such as diced vegetables.

파전 pa jeon Green Onion Pancakes Pajeon is a jeon variety with scallions as the featured ingredient, since pa literally means “green/scallions” in Korean. It’s a pancake-like Korean dish made with a batter of eggs, wheat flour, rice flour, scallions, and often other additional ingredients depending on the variety. Beef, pork, kimchi, shellfish and other seafood are mainly used. If any of these ingredients, such as B. Squid dominating Jeon, the name reflects this; oh jing uh jeon is “squid jeon”. In most cases pa jeon does not contain meat. But to be on the safe side, ask your waiter ????

Trinh met her killer through a matchmaker.

She was 29 and her future husband was in his 50s, court documents show. She only spoke Vietnamese, he Korean.

Despite the communication barrier, the union pushed on. On November 4, 2018 – the day after they met – they married in front of their family in Vietnam.

Seven months later, Trinh — a name CNN chose as her real name was suppressed under South Korean law — relocated to South Korea to be with her husband, named Shin. Three months later she was dead.

Trinh is one of thousands of Vietnamese women who marry South Korean men through matchmakers who match brides with grooms – a service not only encouraged in South Korea but even subsidized by local authorities.

Some couples have successful, happy marriages. But many foreign brides who meet men who have been officially classified as migrants by marriage in this way have been victims of discrimination, domestic violence and even murder at the hands of their husbands.

The statistics paint a bleak picture. More than 42% of foreign wives said they had suffered domestic violence — including physical, verbal, sexual, and financial abuse — in a 2017 survey by the National Human Rights Commission. For comparison, about 29% of South Korean women surveyed by the country’s Gender Equality and Family Ministry last year said they had been victims of domestic violence — again, including a range of forms of abuse.

Experts say discriminatory rules coupled with society’s sexism and racism are to blame, and urge institutional changes to protect foreign brides.

communication problems

From the start, Trinh and Shin had communication difficulties.

After their marriage, Shin went to South Korea, court documents show. They lived apart for months, and although they kept in touch via a messaging app, they often fell out, as Trinh often asked for additional financial support.

Finally, on August 16, 2019, Trinh arrived in South Korea. She moved to the city of Yangju in Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds the capital Seoul, to live with her husband. The court documents did not specify why there was a delay in their arrival in South Korea, although a couple must meet certain criteria to be granted a spousal visa, including meeting an income limit.

But the dispute continued, as court records show. They often disagreed – due to their language barrier, different lifestyles and financial problems.

Three months later, on November 16, Trinh Shin shared that she was going to visit a relative in another city. Shin tried to stop her, so she grabbed a knife from the kitchen and slashed his right thigh, court records show.

According to court records, Shin took the knife and stabbed his wife about 10 times in the chest and stomach. After her death, Shin wrapped her body in plastic, put her and her belongings in his car, and drove to a persimmon orchard in Wanju County, North Jeolla Province, more than 200 kilometers from her home in Yangju.

There he buried her.

In April, Shin was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the murder of Trinh. Evidence presented at the trial included stills from the crime scene, her international marriage contract and the defendant’s testimony.

“The defendant deserves a severe prison sentence given the pain the victim must have gone through, the bitter feelings that the victim had to end her life in this way in a foreign country, and the grief for the victim’s survivors who are loved ones have lost. ‘ Judge Kang Dong-hyeok said during the sentencing hearing. “The victim is now returning to her homeland as a corpse.”

Foreign brides in South Korea

For decades, there has been a gender imbalance in rural parts of South Korea. Young women often move to the cities to work and marry, while their male counterparts stay behind to till their land and fulfill the Confucian expectation that they look after their elderly parents.

In the 1980s, local governments began subsidizing private matchmakers who could introduce bachelor farmers to ethnic Korean women in China, paying the matchmakers 4–6 million won (about US$3,800–5,700 at the time) per marriage. It was an attempt to appeal to the aging population by encouraging men to find a wife and hopefully have children.

In the decades that followed, brides were no longer just ethnically Korean, and came from more countries—the Philippines, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

An industry of transnational matchmakers soon arose. According to government statistics, 380 dating agencies were registered in South Korea as of May.

Nowadays, more foreign brides come from Vietnam in South Korea than from any other country. Most men marry in rural South Korea, where some provinces still offer subsidies — South Jeolla Province, for example, offers men over 35 who have never been married a 5 million won ($4,190) subsidy for marrying a foreign woman and the presentation of a marriage certificate.

In 2018, 16,608 Korean men and foreign women married, including 6,338 from Vietnam, 3,671 from China and 1,560 from Thailand. Overall, 28% of all marriages between a foreigner and a Korean involved a South Korean man and a Vietnamese bride.

Part of the reason so many brides come from Vietnam is economic. According to the CIA World Factbook, Vietnam’s per capita GDP was $6,900 in 2017 — South Korea’s was $39,500 in the same year. Brides are often young and hope for a better life. According to a 2107 government survey, the median age of matchmaker users was 43.6, while the median age of foreign brides was 25.2.

Experts and officials disagree on how to categorize this transnational trend. The United Nations Cooperation Action Against Human Trafficking says Vietnamese women are being trafficked for “forced marriages” to a number of countries, including South Korea.

But Lee Jin-hye, an attorney with Seoul-based Migrants Center Friends, said foreign brides choose to come to South Korea — even if the main reason is to send money to their families back home, rather than theirs own personal benefit.

In Trinh’s case, court documents showed that she went to South Korea willingly. “The victim trusted the defendant — she left Vietnam and began her life in South Korea,” Judge Kang said.

what goes wrong

The South Korean government — and countries in Southeast Asia — have long feared that the foreign bridal industry could lead to human trafficking and abuse.

In 2010, Cambodia temporarily banned its citizens from marrying South Koreans. Vietnamese authorities have also raised concerns about South Korea, according to local Vietnamese media reports.

The rules have also been tightened in South Korea itself – since 2014, Korean nationals and their foreign spouses have had to prove that they can communicate in order to receive a visa. Applicants must demonstrate that the bride has at least basic knowledge of Korean or that the couple can communicate in a third language. It’s unclear how Trinh got around this rule despite the communication issues with her husband. There is no evidence of the man’s Vietnamese skills.

Additionally, South Korea last year announced plans to prevent men with a history of abusiveness from sponsoring a visa for a foreign bride. This law is scheduled to come into force in October.

But there are still institutional problems in South Korea that place foreign brides and their husbands on an unequal footing.

According to South Korean immigration laws, foreign brides are still required to sponsor their husbands for their visas every five years. “There are cases where husbands threaten to withdraw their sponsorship bond if a woman wishes to separate,” attorney Lee said. Women with a spousal visa can work in South Korea and eventually become permanent residents.

If a husband acts abusively, the wife must prove the abuse if she wants to continue living in South Korea without sponsorship. And if the couple divorces and has no children, the woman will have to return to her native country.

“These institutional conditions strengthen the power of Korean spouses,” said Heo Young-sook, director of the Korea Women Migrants Human Rights Center. “Even if there are problems, migrant women feel that they should perpetuate their unhappy marriage because of these institutional problems.”

In the 2017 National Human Rights Commission survey, most foreign brides surveyed said they did not tell anyone about the domestic violence they had suffered. They said they were embarrassed, didn’t know who to tell and didn’t expect it to change anything.

What needs to change

It’s not easy being a woman in South Korea.

The country ranks lowest in the OECD in the World Economic Forum’s latest Global Gender Gap Report, partly due to unequal political and career opportunities for women. In recent years, allegations of sex crimes against entertainment stars, politicians and sports coaches have led to a reckoning with what some see as deeply patriarchal culture.

According to Heo, life is even harder for foreign brides.

“Koreans often express a sense of inferiority to the West and even define themselves as victims of racism, but act superior to people from countries where economic conditions are not as good as Korea,” she said.

“Migrant women face multifaceted discrimination – often it is gender discrimination and racial discrimination combined with institutional issues that create problems.”

This can affect you in a number of ways. Lee of the Migrants Center Friends says women often feel discriminated against by their own extended family – their mother-in-law may complain about their cooking, and some families exclude foreign brides from decision-making. Many women don’t get money to spend and have to ask for it, she added.

However, the tide is slowly turning. This year, Justice Party lawmaker Jang Hye-yong proposed an anti-discrimination law that, if passed, would be a first for the country.

South Korea has no law guaranteeing legal protections from discrimination for all citizens, including minorities and LGBT people. The proposed law aims to protect people who face discrimination and give the state the power to resolve disputes and protect individuals. It’s unclear when the bill will be voted on, although Parliament returned on July 17.

If approved, Jang believes the law could help migrant women, though the law doesn’t specifically mention abuse against them. However, it prohibits indirect discrimination that causes physical or emotional pain to a group or individual.

“If (the way migrant women are treated) is defined as discrimination and can be corrected, I think many migrant women can live more safely and with more dignity in our society.”

Lee, the attorney, doesn’t think the law will be a quick fix for migrant women. Instead, she believes the bill will help bring about social change and raise awareness of racial discrimination in the workplace, school and home.

“I believe it will deter people from speaking out hate speech and encourage them to rectify systematic discrimination. At least people will know what behavior and what words are discriminatory and will be punished,” she said.

If you are a girl looking for your Korean Mr. Right then you have come to the right place. According to a survey of dating in Korea conducted by 10 Magazine, 47% of their female correspondents had a Korean significant other. Dating in Korea or dating a Korean man is not as hopeless as it sounds. Compared to a very genderless Japan, a foreign woman’s chances of dating a Korean man are pretty good. In my experience, Koreans I meet are more open-minded and have studied abroad and are therefore prone to other ideas outside of their country.

Here’s your crash course 101 before you jump into this guide: Dating rules vary from country to country. What works in America or Britain may not work in a foreign country. Koreans can be very intimidated by English and shy away from girls who don’t speak their native language. There are some men who are interested in dating foreigners and others who are only interested in dating Korean women. Men all over the world have different tastes and you should accept that dating will be a failure.

To write this guide I spoke to other bloggers, Koreans and friends who have Korean boyfriends and husbands and what advice they would give to girls dating in Korea. This guide is designed to help girls find a good guy (or just get laid, if that’s your jam).

Blog posts you might like

Questions you MUST ask yourself

do you speak korean Are you trying to speak Korean? Are you actively trying to learn Korean? Are you interested in Korean culture (not just Hallyu) and showing it? Are you staying at home wishing and praying that you meet Mr. Right?

Stereotypes about foreign women

Stereotypes are something every foreign woman should be aware of before dating in Korea. You need to know how the other side sees you. I asked Koreans this specific question and got a variety of answers. As I said earlier, not all Koreans are the same. People are people and have different opinions.

More open-minded about relationships and sex.

Very expressive about their feelings, opinions and thoughts.

Very independent.

Taller and curvier than Korean girls.

Immediate thoughts of foreign women are usually blonde hair, blue eyes, white skin and tall.

They are not interested in making Korean friends or having a Korean boyfriend.

They will one day leave him for their country.

Stereotypes about Korean men

Korean men are not always what you see in the dramas. First, I would like to point out that your Korean pronunciation is on point. When I first learned Korean, I learned my vocabulary and listened to it in the dramas. By the way, it is a great Korean learning tool. However, most men aren’t the confident, dreamy hunks we see in all the drama. (Yes, we wish that.) Koreans are normal guys, just like any other guy in the world. Some stereotypes are:

They have small penises.

They are very handsome and dress to impress.

He’s a nerd with Harry Potter glasses, skinny, squiry and short.

Korean men are abusive and hit their girlfriends and wives.

While interviewing fellow bloggers, Western Girl Eastern Boy’s Jennifer touches on some very important points foreign women should be aware of. She writes:

I think foreign women have a bigger problem to solve than their stereotypes about Korean men: stereotypes about dating in Korea and dating in general.

I know Koreans make dating look easy (how many Korean couples can you count?) but it’s not, especially if you don’t speak Korean.

I think as girls and women we can be very selfish especially when it comes to wanting the Korean or any other man of our dreams.

Don’t lose the battle between expectations and reality and don’t end up alone forever.

Try something (and someone) new. Chances are, what (or who) you want isn’t what (or who) you need. Just don’t get too crazy!

What to look out for

Some Korean men have a fascination with white foreigners. This can be very dangerous and you need to be aware of it. There’s a sex culture of wanting to sleep with a foreigner, especially if they don’t look Asian and even more so if they’re white. Many Koreans want to experience something different. The more different the better. It’s not so much about a winning personality as it is about looks. The whiter your skin, the more desirable you are. The obsession with white skin is real.

You also have to be careful if he just wants someone to teach him English. Sometimes Korean men also know passports and want this green card to promote their career, job opportunities, aspects in life etc.

You have to ask yourself real quick, does he want to sleep with you? Two very common Korean pick-up lines are, “Do you want to go to a DVD room?” or “Do you want to eat ramen?” Newsflash, they don’t really ask you to watch a movie or eat ramen. 😉 Like anywhere in the world, if a Korean you just met immediately asks you if you have a boyfriend or if you’ve ever had sex with a Korean, cut him off if that’s not what you’re looking for.

How to get Koreans to make the first move

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve gotten so far is that you can get him to make the first move by first making eye contact, smiling, or saying hello. (But isn’t that the same all over the world?) It gives the guy the confidence to try and lets him know how you feel. Always make your interest clear.

Should the feeling start, chances are pretty darn good if he stares at you and smiles back, but he may not make the first move due to actual (or imagined) cultural and language barriers. Many Koreans believe that foreign girls know nothing about Korean culture – or speak Korean. If you speak basic Korean, your chances of keeping his attention are very high. You have to figure out how to overcome barriers and make the first move without being too aggressive.

If you want to learn Korean, I strongly recommend you to use 90 Day Korean. You have a FREE Hangul cheat sheet to sit down and learn the Korean alphabet in an afternoon. Korean Class 101 also offers free daily Korean Words of the Day emails. They have classes for many different levels, tests to hold you accountable, and they even email you another Korean word of the day. I’ve used it and it’s helped me quite a bit.

When out in public, at a bar, club, etc., Koreans usually feel more confident in groups because they are with their friends. Most of the time, you don’t have to worry about them doing something slick because they don’t want to fuck their ass in front of their friends.

Many Korean men are also afraid to approach a group of foreign women. I find this correlation in western culture as well. Think about it, if it’s difficult for a man in your own culture to approach a group of women, how is a man not sure of his English supposed to do it? Put yourself in his shoes and imagine how he might be feeling. Make yourself available by showing positive body language and smiling. Or beckon him to join you!

Where to meet Korean guys

language exchange groups

One of the most popular places to meet men. These guys are usually open to other ideas, people and cultures. I have a few friends who have met their friends by attending these groups. Meet-up groups are also very popular. You can enter your interests and find people with similar interests.

get out there

Again with advice to go out, some girls got hit on by going to restaurants they liked and got hit on by waiters! Myeongdong is crowded with people rubbing shoulders. Find a nice coffee shop (they’re literally everywhere in Korea) and see what happens! It’s not about who you pay attention to, but who pays attention to you. When you meet someone face to face, you most likely know that they are sincere. I know that’s something some of you might not want to hear, but it’s true. If you sit at home all day you will never meet anyone, let alone a boy.

On-line

Sites like Interpals and popular apps in Korea include: Hello Talk, 1km, OkCupid, and Tinder. Nowadays, online dating becomes less of a stigma than it used to be. Be careful with this, because some people might say, “Let’s do a language exchange,” but they really want sex. You must be strict about what you are looking for and state your needs immediately. I was told by the grapevine that 1km is the number one connection app in Korea

Mutual friends or Korean girlfriends

Another popular way to meet guys is to let your friends go on a blind date. Koreans don’t usually approach people they don’t know, but a friend of a friend is no stranger and can easily vouch for it. Mostly in groups, my friends met their Korean boyfriend or future husband. Getting your Korean girlfriends to meet you is the best way to find a boyfriend. A lot more Koreans prefer this route because it is safer and you can also meet men who are also looking for a relationship.

Meet 미팅

A meeting is a group blind date. This is where two friends (usually a guy and a girl) bring a similar number of friends to hang out and chat with each other. People who get along exchange numbers. It is also useful to have Korean girlfriends for this.

church, work or school

If you are religious, try going to a bilingual church. It’s a good environment to increase your faith and meet a boy. If you are a student doing projects or studying together, that’s a good excuse to invite a Korean. I have a beautiful Brazilian friend who ended up marrying her professor. Anything can happen in social places like this.

After going out all night

After a fun-filled evening in Hongdae’s well-hidden hip-hop bars and clubs, the morning streets are a great way to meet young, cute, and carefree Koreans. They will most likely ask you to get breakfast – be it beer or bossam or beer and ddeokbokki. Use this as a chance to make a great friendship that is the foundation of any good relationship.

In your home country

Many girls have met their Korean prince charming in another country. You will most likely find many educated, open-minded international students on your campus.

Where to go if you want Koreans to pick you up

If you’re confident in your Korean, go to Korean-style bars and clubs, but if you’re not, you’ll usually find Koreans in western bars and clubs who speak great English. When I first came to Korea, in Hongdae, I had no problem with people who spoke English hitting on my friends and me at the club. If you’re younger in the party scene, head to popular college areas like Sinchon, Mapo, and Hapjong. If you’re in your late 20s or early 30s, head to the posher areas like Gangnam, Jongno, and Yongdongpo.

Bars and courtyards are also a great place to meet people if you’re looking for a quieter place to talk. Generally, when you meet Korean guys in this atmosphere, you will find guys who want a one-night stand with the “exotic”. In most cases, these guys aren’t looking for a relationship, just fun.

Another tactic would be to trick the woman. Send one of your friends over to their friends and see if they can bring the two groups together.

Some guys will make their intentions very clear right away or at the end of the night. In an example of a typical “hunt,” a guy speaks to a group of women and asks if they would like to join their group. If the women agree, the groups will drink together, maybe mate, and talk about love hotels.

What other bloggers say

Korean couple culture

So now you are dating! Congratulations on finding a good man who is not a complete moron. (But ladies, let’s face it. Finding a good man in any country or culture is a very difficult task.) There are some things to keep in mind when dating in Korea, and Korean couple culture is very unique.

between app

One of the cutest and most obnoxious parts of Korean culture is the super adorable Between app. It’s a dedicated messaging app that you can use for you and your partner. It requires the couple to verify both phone numbers in order to be connected. On it you can set anniversaries, birthdays, couple holidays and important date reminders. You can even get your own special stickers to use when messaging in the app.

message all the time

When you first get someone’s contact information, you should make sure that you keep texting them, no matter how busy you are. This is in stark contrast to American dating culture, where you play the silly “I’m so busy when I’m not” game. Not responding often shows the person that you’re not that interested, and they’ll walk away from you just as quickly.

Korean couple outfits

When I was dating my ex-Korean boyfriend, we were definitely into the idea of ​​couple converse and couple t-shirts. Of course, ours were very vulgar with a few rude words on them. It said, “I’m with the bitch.” And I said, “I’m with dickhead.” We embraced the raunchy sense of humor very well. Since many Korean couples don’t live together until after marriage, many of them like to dress alike from head to toe. Matching outfits is a public expression of “This is MINE”.

Couples do this all over Korea (including older couples). But you will really see Korean couples going to the city in amusement parks like Lotte World or Everland.

Korean couple rings

Since Koreans jump in and out of relationships so quickly, making it to 100 days of dating is truly a remarkable achievement. When you are so lucky with your boo, the topic of getting a couple ring usually comes up. You can make your own couple ring or you can shop outside of Jogno Sam-ga Station for the latest, trending and best value rings. If you want to learn more about Korean couple rings, click here.

Korean couple vacation

One of the things I find most entertaining about dating in Korea is that there are a few holidays every month. So you can celebrate your love all year round.

January 14 – Diary Day is a holiday when diaries are shared with loved ones and friends to mark important dates like birthdays, anniversaries and holidays.

February 14 – Valentine’s Day in South Korea is celebrated with women giving chocolate to men as a token of affection.

March 14 – White Day is when men return the favor by giving the woman something white like jewelry, marshmallows, or white chocolate.

April 14 – Black Day is technically for all singles and they eat jajangmyun (Chinese black noodles). But hey, you can never pass up an opportunity to eat something delicious.

May 14 – Rose Day is the day you exchange roses or something yellow as a token of affection.

June 14 – Kissing Day in Korea is pretty self-explanatory.

July 14 – Silver Day is when couples exchange some silver like rings or jewellery. Hint, hint, wink, wink, but this would be a good time to talk about some rings if you haven’t already.

August 14 – Green Day is pretty much another excuse for sloshing on soju. Cheers everyone!

September 14 – Photo Day is usually the day when professional studios in Korea are fully booked. Many couples use this day to have their picture taken.

October 14 – Wine Day is also another wonderful occasion to get a delicious bottle of wine and drink it together.

November 11 – Peppero Day is a holiday when the chocolate-covered thin breadsticks are given to a lover. I see students exchanging them with friends. I personally love the day after when they go on sale. 😉

November 14 – Movie Day is when couples fill the cinemas to see a movie together.

December 14th – Hug day, when you get cozy with your boo bear.

December 25th – Christmas in Korea is considered the most romantic couples celebration of all and you will be privy when you will see many seasonal couples staying.

100 Days Dating in Korea

If all those couples vacations aren’t enough to get your head spinning, wait until you hear about the 100/200/300 day dating rules in Korea. 100 days of dating in Korea coincides with her first milestone as a Korean and that would be the 100 day post birth party. In ancient times, it was a milestone that the child did not die, but now it is a tradition deeply embedded in Korean culture. For 100 Days Dating in Korea, it represents the couple cleared the hurdles of first dating and made it this far.

When the couple was together for 100 days, they usually had some cake and some wine. You could even exchange small gifts or flowers. Bonus points if you give a gift that comes from the heart.

Who pays the bill?

Since Korea is still a very patriarchal society, men usually get the bill. You pay for bigger things like dinner and the movie, while the wife gets to pay for snacks and drinks.

In my opinion, NEVER go Dutch on a first date. Unfortunately, many men see time and money as a lot to invest in a woman and are likely to stay afterward. Hate me for my opinion, but I’ve noticed that in my own dating experiences in Korea.

Note that the longer you date, who is paying for what, should slowly even out. After all, dating is a partnership.

Is PDA okay in public?

I’ve seen couples in Seoul get bolder over the past few years. I’ve seen Korean couples making out in public and all over each other. While people are too shy to confront a Korean couple, you best believe that a nasty Ajhumma or Ajhussi will say something nasty to you. (Especially if you’re an interracial couple.) In general, it’s okay to hold hands and put your arms around each other in public. Save the “steamier” stuff for the bedroom.

In the bedroom

How you go crazy and what you do behind closed doors is up to you. In order to maintain monetization on my blog, I will not go into detail on some bedroom vocabulary in Korean. I will; Recommend making out in Korean though. It’s absolutely useful and one of my favorite books to this day. (I often consult it for insults and abuse these days, but the dirty section was interesting.) There are a few chapters devoted to dirty talk, love languages, and breaking up in Korean.

General advice and tips for women by women

The best way to date is to get yourself out of it. Not “hunting” Korean men, but meeting as many guys as possible. He may or may not be Korean. You never know who you will meet or if they will be yours forever.

You should also be aware that there are still many families who do not want their sons or daughters to marry foreigners unless his parents are open minded or it is very serious. My friend Lisa was in a situation where her boyfriend’s parents had no idea she existed. If you know that his parents are not open towards foreigners, don’t get too clingy right away as this will most likely end in heartbreak.

Be yourself. Don’t try to pretend you’re the cool foreigner because that encourages stereotypes. Don’t think that you have to dress in mini skirts and baggy tops because that’s the Korean style. Not you. I wear combat boots, leather jackets, tight shirts and ripped jeans.

You must also understand that Korea has a very different culture than many western countries. He may have a good job, but that means he most likely doesn’t work 9am to 5am. Sometimes he works weekdays and weekends until 8-10 p.m. You may have to stick to his schedule to spend time together.

Other women say don’t date college students because they’re broke and they can’t take you on dates either. Most college-age students party a lot anyway.

Don’t think that you’ll never find a Korean boyfriend because you don’t have white skin. That is not true. I am ethnically half Latina and had a Korean boyfriend. I have foreign friends who are also Asian and black and have amazing boos. Don’t listen to the stereotypes that white skin is king. Korean men also have different tastes in women they like.

Living in Korea may not or will not affect your previous skills. Remember that you are dating someone from a different culture. You both need to open up with your communication and try new things. You cannot use masked communication or it will not work.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll make a small commission to help keep Gina Bear’s blog running at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Food for the Seoul

Seoul might require a little more effort. But no fuss, a little research and preparation ahead of time will solve this problem. Here’s a guide to 10 restaurants in and around Seoul to start your culinary adventure! Oh Korea, the land of addictive K-pop, tear-jerking K-drama, elaborate skincare, and of course, delicious cuisine! While you can easily find Halal-certified Korean restaurants in Malaysia, scouting for a restaurant can be a bit more of a hassle. But no fuss, a little research and preparation ahead of time will solve this problem. Here’s a guide to 10 restaurants in and around Seoul to start your culinary adventure!

The best halal restaurants in Seoul, South Korea

1. Busan Jib Halal Food

A must-see when in Seoul is the famous shopping streets of Myeongdong. After a long and busy day of hunting for deals, nothing beats the comfort of a delicious meal to enjoy. Despite the name, this restaurant in the heart of Seoul offers a menu of comforting, local dishes!

Address: 11-4 Myeongdong 8-gil, Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea

2. EID – Korean Halal Food

When it comes to halal food and Seoul, one name that comes up a lot is EID. This Korean Muslim family-run restaurant near Seoul Central Mosque is popular with many Muslim travelers. Immerse yourself in their authentic Korean cuisine like bibimbap, bulgogi and unlimited banchan (side dishes)!

Address: 67 Usadan-ro 10-gil, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea

3. Makan Halal Restaurant

Just a few doors down from EID you will find another Muslim friendly restaurant called Makan Halal Restaurant. This restaurant in Itaewon offers a selection of local favorites such as beef bulgogi, dakdoritang (spicy stewed chicken), mulnaengmyeon (cold noodles) and more, as well as dosirak (Korean packed lunches) if you prefer to take something to go!

Address: 52, Usadan-ro 10 gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea 140-911

4. Halal cuisine Korea

Located in the charming cultural village of Bukchon Hanok Village, Halal Kitchen Korea is the perfect pit stop after a hard afternoon of relentless climbs. Housed in a cozy traditional Korean hanok, you’ll find dishes like dakgalbi, bulgogi, bibimbap to name a few. Good food, great views and great atmosphere, no wonder this restaurant is a hit!

Address: 86-2 Samcheong-ro, Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea, South Korea

5. Chunya Daegutang

In the middle of Hongdae’s bustling streets is this unassuming eatery specializing in cod soup. Chunja Daegutang uses cod as its signature ingredient and turns it into delicious dishes ranging from daegu-ppoljjim (steamed cod cheeks) to daegu-jeongol (cod stew). So if you are ever in this area you should definitely stop by this restaurant.

Address: 375-44, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul

6. Yang Good Grill

Well, what’s a visit to Korea without a BBQ, right? Although it is almost impossible to find a halal-friendly restaurant, all hope is not lost! Yang Good BBQ in Gangnam uses Halal certified meat imported from Australia. Their lamb comes marinated and not marinated. Note, however, that since this restaurant is also popular with locals, they also serve alcohol.

Address: 15, Nonhyeon-ro 95-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea

7.Osegyehyang

While not specifically a Halal-certified restaurant, Osegyehyang is a soy-based vegan restaurant. Located in Insadong, you can dine casually and try a few of their plant-based dishes such as ttukbulgui (stone-bowl veggie meat), bulgui deopbap (veggie-meat rice) and more. Using high-quality soy protein and perilla oil in their ingredients will definitely leave you feeling great after eating.

Address: 14-5 Insadong 12-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul

8. Balwoo Gongyang

Another plant-based restaurant in Seoul worth checking out is Balwoo Gongyang. Following the principles of Buddhism and traditional Korean cuisine, they only use organic vegetarian food in their cooking. They also rule out the use of spicy vegetables like scallions, onions, chives, leeks, and garlic. It doesn’t seem like much on paper, but the food sure is good, as the Michelin guide can attest.

Address: 56 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno 1(il).2(i).3(sam).4(sa), Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea

9. BoA Travel House

Though not a full-fledged restaurant per se, this guest house in Hongdae is known for its homemade halal dosirak (Korean packed lunches). As well as entertaining the Muslim customers of the BoA Travel House, you can also dine in the guest house’s restaurant or order your dosirak to take away!

Address: 15, Sinchon-ro 1-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea 120836

10. Dongmoon on Nami Island

Although Nami Island is not located in Seoul, many travelers visiting the city will most likely also take a trip to this famous spot. While restaurants and cafes are plentiful on Nami Island, finding a Halal place can prove difficult. In Dongmoon you will find a selection of local specialties as well as other Asian cuisines.

Address: 198 Bangha-ri, Namsan-myeon, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, South Korea

Start your search adventure in Seoul

Islam has a very small presence in South Korea. As recently as 2005, the religion department in the country’s census did not offer “Muslims” as a category. Currently, the number of Muslims in South Korea is reportedly around 200,000, or about 0.4 percent of the population. Many are migrants from countries where Islam has a stronger presence, while some South Koreans have converted.

According to a local website presenting Islam, there are only eight mosques in South Korea. In contrast, the number of Protestant churches affiliated with major Protestant associations in the country is at least 30,000.

A lack of familiarity with Islam, coupled with the headline-grabbing antics of groups like Islamic State and Al Qaeda, have helped stoke some levels of Islamophobia in South Korea. This is often fueled by less inclusive Christian groups and publications, which with alarming reports exaggerate the number of Muslims and claim that Muslims are using tactics like “proliferation of halal food” and having more children through polygamous families to “Islamize”. Korea.

But in 2016, progressive religious publication News n Joy debunked some of these myths by calculating, using reliable data sources, that the number of expatriate Muslims in the country was about 168,000. (South Korea’s total population is now about 51 million.)

Plans to build a halal food production zone in Iksan, a small town in western South Korea, also sparked a predictable backlash, led by Christians.

Though Iksan’s halal zone has sparked disproportionate controversy, it reflects a new and somewhat unfamiliar dynamic that has become increasingly evident in recent years: South Korea is working to attract Muslim visitors as money-spending consumers rather than migrant workers.

The Iksan situation arose when China banned group travel to South Korea in early 2017 amid a dispute over the deployment of the US THAAD missile defense system in South Korea. Desperate to replace lost revenue, South Korea has stepped up efforts to attract tourists from other countries, including Muslim states in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

This is novel, as a significant part of South Korea’s nationalist self-esteem rests on economic superiority and pride in its rapid industrial development in the late 20th century. The production of halal food and the provision of other facilities (e.g. prayer rugs in hotel rooms) for Muslim visitors and consumers can be seen as a form of recognition of the growing economic capacity of many Muslims worldwide.

Funds from Muslim states have played a role in boosting South Korea’s economy since the country sought construction contracts in the Middle East in the mid-1970s. According to the daily Donga Ilbo, the value of South Korean companies’ contracts for construction projects in the Middle East shot up from $750 in 1975 to $8.2 billion in 1980. Today, South Korean companies are still very active in the region with projects like this Burj Khalifa and Barakah nuclear power plants in the United Arab Emirates and power plants and desalination plants in Saudi Arabia.

On the other hand, despite brisk trade and growing tourism in the country, racism and Islamophobia persist. Many Muslims living in South Korea come as migrant workers from countries like Bangladesh and Uzbekistan, which Koreans often see as poorer, less developed countries.

Islam vs. Protestantism

To assess the prospects for Islam becoming widespread in South Korea, it is interesting to consider the case of another foreign religion that has had tremendous success there: Protestantism.

While Catholics had been persecuted in Korea for more than a century, Protestantism came at a better time in the late 1880s. It was introduced by Western missionaries, some of whom were physicians, and began establishing hospitals and schools. This was a time when the isolationist neo-Confucian political framework of the country’s ruling dynasty seemed increasingly inadequate in the world order of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Protestantism was supported by some Koreans – particularly among the tiny elite who had been educated in the United States – because of its relatively progressive ideas. In the early 20th century and in South Korea after the national partition in 1948, Protestantism was influential among the political elite, as exemplified by Syngman Rhee, South Korea’s first president.

Beginning in the 1970s, South Korea’s Protestant population exploded, due in large part to the communities the churches offered to uprooted, newly urbanized Koreans; Meanwhile, the phenomenon was promoted by local pastors, and the country exported many of its own missionaries.

Could there be a similar explosion in Islam? At the moment it seems highly unlikely for a number of reasons.

First, South Korea is in a much stronger position today than it was 140 years ago when Protestant missionaries arrived in the peninsula. Its economy and standard of living are among the largest and highest in the world, and it is a liberal democracy with a constitution modeled largely on the western states from which Protestant missionaries first came.

Second, many South Koreans associate Islam with states that are either less politically liberal, like Saudi Arabia and Iran, or less prosperous, like Bangladesh, Indonesia and Pakistan. It is not generally associated with better lifestyle prospects.

Third, many conservative Protestant organizations in South Korea enjoy a degree of wealth and media clout that enables them to vigorously resist any sign of growing Muslim influence in the country. Their neurotic reaction to the tiny Islamic presence in South Korea today suggests that they would step up their Islamophobic resistance in the future if they felt the need to.

Fourth, Islam forbids two things that are integral to South Korean culture: pork and alcohol. Enjoying grilled pork belly with soju is almost a national pastime, while the drinking itself is an integral part of corporate and society culture. The enforced binge-drinking rituals of large, hierarchically structured corporations may be waning, but abstinence from alcohol is far from palatable to most South Koreans.

The fact is that South Korea’s Muslim population is growing. According to Hankook Ilbo, it grew 54-fold in half a century. In 1965, when the Korea Muslim Federation was formed, the country numbered 3,700 Muslims; In 2015, the number of Muslims legally residing abroad, illegally resident Muslims and South Korean Muslims was about 200,000. However, this growth has been accompanied by a huge increase in the total number of foreigners residing in South Korea. From 2005 to 2015, the total number of foreign residents in the country grew faster than the total number of foreign Muslim residents.

There is little reason to believe that Islam will rise above the status of a very minor religion in South Korea – at least for the time being.

Ben Jackson wrote this article.

Cover photo: Seoul Central Mosque. (Source: Republic of Korea via Flickr)

Halal awareness still low

After President Park’s recent visit to the Middle East, the term “halal food” began to spread in Korea. However, many people in Korea are still not clear about the concept of halal. Most people still think that halal food means Turkish food, Middle Eastern food or Indian food because that’s what they are used to in Korea. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, 140 restaurants in the country serve halal food, most of which are either Turkish, Middle Eastern or Indian. Only about 50 Korean restaurants offer halal food. Some Korean restaurants offer special dishes with grilled fish or braised seafood, or offer vegetarian options such as temple cuisine. The Korea Muslim Association has only certified five Korean restaurants. In reality, there are more Korean restaurants serving halal food. However, due to a lack of knowledge about Halal food, many Korean restaurants are not recognized even though they serve Halal food, or the food that Muslims are allowed to consume. So let’s take a look at what exactly Halal food is. Halal simply means permitted or legal. So when we talk about halal food, we mean all food that is permitted under Islamic law. Foods not considered Halal include pork or pork by-products, animals that have died before slaughter, improperly slaughtered animals, blood and blood by-products, carnivorous animals and birds of prey. According to Halal, all animals must be treated with respect and cared for before slaughter. When an animal is killed, its carotid artery is severed and blood is allowed to drain out of the animal because it is forbidden for Muslims to consume animal blood. Halal’s high standard of hygiene for meat has made halal food popular with non-Muslims as well. Following the guidelines above, it is clear that food does not necessarily have to be Turkish or Middle Eastern to be considered halal. Korean food can also be recognized as halal if it follows certain rules. Some dakgalbi (spicy fried chicken) restaurants in Korea use exported boneless chicken in their restaurants. Other Korean restaurants use exported beef and lamb. Some brands of boneless chicken and other meats from Brazil and Australia are actually halal. Unfortunately, the truth is that many people, including restaurant owners in Korea, are unaware of this fact. Many Korean restaurants do not attract Muslim customers, although they do serve halal meat. Lack of knowledge and awareness about Halal are the main reasons for this. However, the situation has started to change. President Park recently signed an agreement with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to promote bilateral cooperation in the production and sale of halal food. Under the agreement, the two nations will work together to create a credible Halal certification system. The system has the added benefit of helping Korean food companies to improve their competitiveness in the Middle East market. A research group on halal food was recently established by the Korea Food Research Institute. This newly opened group would advise the local food industry on halal food and conduct research and studies on the Middle East and its food market. In order to attract Muslim tourists, the Korea Tourism Organization has taken some initiatives. It also tries to educate local restaurant owners about halal food through workshops. The main purpose of the workshops is to make them aware of halal food and open doors to new opportunities to attract many more Muslim tourists to Korean halal food. The day is not far off when Korea will make the most of halal food by exporting it to foreign markets and offering it to the local market. At least, the current government’s recent initiatives give us hope.* The author is a graduate student at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. His email address is [email protected] Fahad Abdullah

Bilateral Relations

Pakistan-South Korea relations refer to bilateral diplomatic relations between Pakistan and South Korea. Since the 1980s, relations between two Asian countries have improved and periodically improved. Pakistan has an embassy in Seoul, South Korea,[1][2] and South Korea has an embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan.[3][4] Pakistan is one of the few countries that has good relations with both North Korea and South Korea.

Bilateral trade between the two countries amounts to approximately US$1.1 billion.[5] Both sides have expressed interest in further promoting trade and investment ties between the two countries. KOTRA (Korea Trade Centre) plays a crucial role in improving trade relations between Korea and Pakistan.[6]

Immigration[ edit ]

In 2005, up to 7,000 Pakistanis lived in South Korea.[7]

Bilateral visits[ edit ]

In November 2003, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf paid a three-day official visit to Seoul, South Korea.[8] Despite Pakistan’s friendly relations with North Korea, Pakistan maintains a strong base in South Korea, with further trade deals with South Korea and friendly treaties signed by both countries. Recently in 2013, the South Korean Prime Minister visited Pakistan. During his visit, many resolutions on cooperation in defense, manufacturing and economic cooperation, and science and technology were signed with a $10 million grant to SUPARCO.

Bilateral Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding [ edit ]

In recent years, there has been a clear boost in bilateral cooperation. From tourism to defense, the two countries are expanding ties. HE Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the Ambassador of Pakistan to ROK, is keen to connect bilateral R&D sectors. Pakistan recently joined the Seoul-based Global Green Growth Institute.[9] A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and the Institute of Foreign Affairs & National Security (IFANS) in Seoul, South Korea.[10] In a recent bid, an agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons was signed between Pakistan and the Republic of Korea.[11] In order to promote cultural interaction between Korea and Pakistan and to respond to the Prime Minister of Pakistan’s initiative to promote religious tourism, especially Buddhist tourism in the country, a delegation of over 60 Korean Buddhist pilgrims led by Ven. Wonhaeng, President of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, visited Pakistan.[12] Pakistan and Korea are exploring a wealth of opportunities for future cooperation, particularly in the areas of technology, trade, defense and research and development.

Korean companies in Pakistan[ edit ]

Federal Minister of Trade Engineer Khurram Dastgir visited South Korea in July 2015 and discussed bilateral trade and the possibility of a free trade agreement.[13][14][15]

South Korea has pledged a $78 million loan to build the Malakand Pass tunnel. The tunnel feasibility report was jointly prepared by the National Highway Authority and South Korean consultants.[16]

30 years of Pak-Korea relations[17]

Korean companies working in Pakistan [ edit ]

National Transmission & Despatch Company Limited (NTDCL) and Korea Electric Power Company (KEPCO) signed a consulting agreement for the design, engineering and construction supervision of the 500 kV Dasu-Islamabad transmission line in February 2015.[19]

Sambu Construction Co. Ltd, KEPCO initiated 2005 BOI Mahl hydroelectric power project (500mW) on Mahl river, Bagh district, AJK. It was run-of-river power generation.[22]

FOUNDATION POWER COMPANY DAHARKI LIMITED (FPCDL) entered into an operation and maintenance agreement with KEPCO KPS Plant Services and Engineering Company Limited of South Korea[23] and started operations and maintenance of the Daharki Cogen Power Plant in February 2009.[24]

In 2008, a delegation from the KEPCO-DOOSAN consortium from the Republic of Korea came to Islamabad with a very attractive offer to participate in power generation projects, but the government’s response was lukewarm. After three years, Doosan and Kepco, in a consortium with other Korean investors, renewed their offer at a meeting with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on January 21, 2011.[25]

Korean M/s Sambu Construction Co. Ltd, Korea Midland Power Company Limited (KOMIPO) and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) have expressed interest in building the Taunsa Barrage (120 MW) hydropower project on a BOT basis with a 100% financing of of $300 million November 2008.[21]

In September 2002, KEPCO expressed an interest in the rehabilitation, operation, maintenance and management (ROMM) of the 150 MW Lakhra Fluidized Bed Coal-fired Power Plant near Khanote in Jamshoro District, Sindh. No interest on the part of the Pakistani government has been identified.[26]

During the Sindh Prime Minister’s visit to South Korea in 2011, a memorandum of understanding was signed with Korea Southern Power Company to generate 2000MW of wind power.

Mira Power[27]

Mira Power Limited is a special purpose vehicle established to design, build, own, operate and maintain the 100MW Gulpur Hydroelectric Power Station under the Government of Pakistan’s Power Generation Projects Directive 2002 as established in Azad Jammu & Kashmir was passed. Mira Power Limited is a subsidiary of Korea South East Power Co. Ltd (KOSEP)[28], which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). The project’s shareholders are KOSEP[29] (76%), DAELIM (18%), LOTTE (6%).

Gulpur Hydropower Project: On October 15, 2015, Mira Power started construction of the 102 MW Gulpur Hydropower Project in Kotli, Azad and Jammu Kashmir.[30]

Kotli Hydroelectric Project, Kotli District, Poonch River, AJK. In May 2015, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced that it would provide a $65 million loan to Mira Power Limited, a South Korean company, for construction and operations.[31] Planned completion was in March 2019.

Hyundai and Kia engines

Samsung

LG

Lotte group

Sambu Construction Co.Ltd

Star Hydropower Limited (SHPL) and Sambu Construction Co. Korea initiated a Patring hydropower project (150 MW) in Patrind, AJK in 2005. The scope of the project was to divert the Kunhar River water (KPK) to tumble it from a height through a power generation tunnel on the AJK side. The estimated cost was US$360 million with 25% equity and financing from IFC, Korean Exim Bank and IDB.

POSCO

CK solar

K-Water – K-water (public entity) and Sambu Construction Co., South Korea, initiated a project in 2008 to construct a 200 million gallon/day water supply pipeline from Tarbella to Islamabad and Rawalpindi at an estimated cost of US$800 million. Dollar.

doosan

KORAIL

doekjae

Shangyong

wisdom

STX

Deokjae construction

Sambo engineering

Korea Construction Institute of Plant (KCIP)

SM Entertainment Pakistan

JYP Entertainment Pakistan

Cube Entertainment Pakistan

Korean companies looking for opportunities[ edit ]

Overall, Pakistan has supported Korean reunification.

Software Technology Park in Islamabad[ edit ]

On March 21, 2017, an agreement was signed in Islamabad between the Ministry of Information Technology and Korea Exim Bank for a Rs. 10 billion loan agreement for Pakistan’s first state-of-the-art information technology park.

See also[edit]