Conflict in Daegu Islamic Temple Construction Enters 2nd Year... 'Boiled Pig Head' Emerges Amid Resident Backlash

Committee Criticizes "Pork Ban Is No Different from a Crime Against Islam"
Conflict Over Construction Continues Despite Supreme Court's 'Legal' Ruling

On the morning of the 2nd, a boiled pig's head was placed on a chair in front of the gate of a house next to the construction site of an Islamic mosque in Buk-gu, Daegu. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] A boiled pig's head appeared at the construction site of the Islamic mosque in Buk-gu, Daegu. Although the Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of the building owner who intended to proceed with the mosque construction, strong opposition from residents has stalled progress on the site.

Recently, a boiled pig's head was placed on a chair in front of a house gate near the Daegu Islamic mosque construction site. This pig's head, discovered on the 27th of last month, was not removed until the morning of the 2nd, attracting swarms of flies around it. Some residents opposing the mosque construction also grilled samgyeopsal near the site in September.

Some have pointed out that these acts represent hatred toward the Islamic cultural sphere, which prohibits pork consumption. The "Daegu Islamic Mosque Issue Peaceful Resolution Committee" (the Committee), composed of local civic groups, stated that "this is practically no different from a crime." Committee Chairman Seo Chang-ho said, "To express it in Korean terms, it is like spreading pig's blood in front of someone's house gate," adding, "Even if it is not legally a crime, it amounts to an enormous act of violence."

The conflict between the building owner and some residents over the mosque construction began in September 2020 when Buk-gu, Daegu, approved the mosque's construction in a densely populated residential area. The facility was permitted as a type 2 neighborhood living facility at that time. Initially, there were no issues, but as the mosque's exterior, different from typical houses, began to take shape, about 350 residents submitted a petition. They opposed the mosque construction citing infringement on their living environment and property rights, as well as noise concerns.

In response, the building owner filed a lawsuit against Buk-gu to cancel the construction suspension order, and in September, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the building owner, concluding the legal dispute for the time being. The building owner has since resumed construction.

In October last year, the National Human Rights Commission also recommended that the district office take necessary measures to allow the mosque construction to resume and address advertisements that could incite hatred or human rights violations against Muslims.

However, the conflict between both sides shows no signs of ending. The building owner has stated that since the court ruling is final, they will take legal action if residents continue to obstruct construction. Earlier, in September, two nearby residents were sent to the prosecution on charges of deliberately interfering with the construction.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.