Religions must play a pivotal peace-making role as an influx of immigrants transforms South Korea into a multicultural society, a Seoul sociology lecturer has said.

Methodist Theological University Professor Lee Won-gue made the comments at a July 21 forum organized by the United Religions Initiative of Korea on the role of religions in a multicultural society.

Professor Lee said that religious groups need to remind South Koreans that their country has already become a multicultural society as a result of the influx of immigrants.

He noted that that peaceful coexistence could begin with an acknowledgment of the existence of other cultures and communities.

He urged religious groups to take the lead in overcoming the bias against immigrants, most of whom have come from China and Southeast Asia over the last few decades.

"Without them, small factories would have to close, and many farmers could not look forward to marriage and children,” he said.

Venerable Youngdam from the Seokwangsa Temple told the seminar that he was concerned that many women migrating for marriage are forced to adopt the religion or tradition of their Korean husbands.

He therefore proposes to establish a space for Muslim worship inside his Buddhist temple so as to avoid women’s difficulties with their families in their home country.

Professor Son Jang-kwun from Korea University told the conference that significant cultural differences are also developing between North and South Koreans.

“Even if the two Koreas are re-unified, North Koreans may not be able to easily adjust to South Korean society,” he warned.

Believers need to play an active role in building social structures in which diverse peoples and religions can coexist peacefully, he said.

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