Korean scholar emphasises need for true understanding of Islam, sustainable cooperation

Speaking at the 42nd Sharjah International Book Fair, Korean Scholar Lee Hee Soo has called for a true understanding of Islam in a true manner and sustainable cooperation.

 “Islam is not just a religion, it teaches coexistence and its people have noble ethics,” noted Emeritus Professor of Seoul-based Hanyang University in a discussion on “The Interconnection between Islamic world and the Republic of Korea”.

A leading authority on the Middle East and Islamic Studies in Korea, Prof Lee’s book in the Korean language, Islam for Children has sold over 200,000 copies. His Islam and Korean Culture is a classic which is available in five languages including Arabic.

Prof Lee who has lived in Turkey for 12 years and found vast similarities in the cultures of the Arab and Korean peninsula, felt that the exchanges had to continue like it has done in the past 1200 years through trade and commerce.

Since the 13th century, Korea has had a large Muslim community which led to the establishment of The Great Mosque in the capital. According to the Korea Muslim Federation, there are about 200,000 Muslims living in South Korea, and about 70 to 80 percent are foreigners.