Korean YouTuber plan to build mosque in South Korea, sparks controversy (Video)

A Korean Muslim YouTuber, Daud Kim, with an extensive online following of 5.5 million subscribers on YouTube and 3.5 million on Instagram, has sparked controversy with his recent announcement of plans to build a mosque in Incheon, South Korea.

The plan, however, was abruptly canceled after the land purchase and sale contract were scrapped.

According to sources within the local real estate industry on Apr. 20, Daud Kim agreed to cancel the land contract with the owner without receiving any compensation for the down payment.

“He indeed decided to terminate the contract,” said a real estate industry insider, “but it is difficult to say further details as it is personal information.”

Earlier, Daud Kim announced on his YouTube channel’s community page on Mar. 13 that he had signed a land contract for the mosque construction project, intending to establish a prayer center for missions and an Islamic podcast studio.

Then he displayed the contract for the property, stating that he had agreed to purchase 284.4㎡ of land in Unbuk-dong, Yeongjong-do, Jung-gu, Incheon, for 189.2 million won (about $137,200) and paid a down payment of 20 million won.

Despite the presence of approximately 200 mosques in South Korea, there have been instances of opposition to mosque construction. For example, Muslim international students from Kyungpook National University in Daegu endeavored to construct a sizable mosque in Daehyeon-dong, Buk-gu. However, its completion has faced a four-year delay owing to vigorous protests from residents.