Muslim YouTuber Dawood Kim Purchases Land in Yeongjongdo
"Will Build Mosque and Evangelize"...Local Residents Oppose
"Difficult to Obtain Building Permit Considering Surrounding Environment"
Recently, Dawood Kim, a Korean Muslim YouTuber with 5.53 million subscribers, announced plans to build an Islamic mosque on a site in Yeongjongdo, Incheon. However, the landowner who sold him the land reportedly requested to terminate the contract. The landowner, Mr. A, told Yonhap News TV on the 19th, “We made a contract, but I told the real estate agency to cancel it,” adding, “Later, I found out they were placing containers and doing YouTube broadcasts there. So I said that was not allowed either.”
Earlier, on the 13th, Dawood Kim announced through his YouTube channel community, “Finally, with your help, I have signed a land contract to build a Masjid in Incheon.” Masjid is the Arabic word for a mosque, an Islamic place of worship. He said, “This place will soon become a mosque,” and added, “I can’t believe a day like this has come.” He also said, “We plan to build a prayer space and an Islamic podcast studio for Korean dawa (Islamic missionary work) here.”
He stated, “I truly believe this is a huge step. There will be many difficulties, but I believe we can do it. I will do my best until the day when every street in Korea is filled with the beautiful sound of Adhan (call to prayer). Financial support is needed to complete the building. Those who can help, please donate,” revealing his bank account and requesting sponsorship.
As this news spread, public opinion turned cold. Amid backlash from some netizens and residents who harbor negative feelings toward Islam, he said, “Anyway, only about 20 to 30 pyeong (approximately 66 to 99 square meters) of a mobile home will fit,” and “I chose a very remote location to minimize any inconvenience to residents.”
The controversy intensified as Dawood Kim’s past record of sexual offenses resurfaced. It is known that in 2019, he was prosecuted on charges of attempting to sexually assault a foreign woman. However, it was reported that Dawood Kim apologized to the victim, and since the victim expressed that she did not want prosecution, the case was deferred without indictment.
In 2022, nearby residents protested in front of the construction site of an Islamic temple in Daehyeon-dong, Buk-gu, Daegu. [Image source=Yonhap News]
However, there are predictions that Dawood Kim’s plan is unlikely to be realized. During the development permit review process, various factors must be considered, and since the location is remote and access roads are not secured, obtaining a building permit is difficult. An official from Jung-gu, Incheon, the jurisdictional authority, told Yonhap News, “If a building permit application is submitted, it would be classified as a religious assembly hall under neighborhood living facilities, but considering all surrounding conditions, it is currently judged that approval will be difficult.”
In Daegu, since 2021, conflicts have continued over the construction of an Islamic mosque in a residential area in Daehyeon-dong, Buk-gu. Amid strong protests from residents, the police received a complaint from Buk-gu Office last December that the mosque was built differently from the design documents, and are investigating the construction company officials on charges of violating the Building Act.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
