Kyungpook National University students, faculty to march in support of construction of mosque in Daegu

Students and faculty march across Kyungpook National University's campus while holding signs that condemn discrimination against Muslims. [YONHAP]

A group of Kyungpook National University students and faculty will be marching to protest the opposition to building a mosque in the neighborhood.

The group will march across the campus on Thursday and hold signs that condemn discrimination against Muslims.

Faculty members include professors Yuk Joo-won and Kim Yoo-kyeong.

The group has been staging an hour-long march every Monday and Thursday since May 1. Around 20 to 50 students participated each time.

The march follows the ongoing battle between residents and the Muslim community.

A house located 200 meters (656 feet) from the west gate of Kyungpook National University in Buk District, Daegu, was to be turned into a mosque, with construction starting in September 2020.

Construction was halted in February 2021 due to residents filing complaints to the Buk District Office, claiming the mosque would make the neighborhood crowded and noisy. After years of conflict, construction resumed in April.

According to the Kyungpook National University professors, the march will be held every Monday and Thursday until May 29. The group plans to continue to hold marches in the future if residents continue to oppose the construction.

BY LEE TAE-HEE [lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr]