 Sikh volunteer (left) with the 60th Indian Field Ambulance in Korea. Between them are British, New Zealand and Australian soldiers (Circa 1951) | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 550 estimate | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Seoul · Pocheon | |
| Religions | |
| Sikhism | |
| Languages | |
| Punjabi · Korean |
| Part of a series on |
| Sikhism |
|---|
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Sikhism in South Korea (Korean: 한국의 시크교, romanized: hangug-ui sikeugyo) is a minority religion.
According to records, Sikhs have been in South Korea since the country gained independence from colonial Japanese rule.[1] Early Sikh pioneers came to the country as traders and businessmen exporting textiles in the country to India and the Middle East.[1] However, these early settlers were forced to return home due to strict residency laws at the time.[1] After the first settlement period, Sikh labourers began migrating to the country in the 1980's due to a lack of opportunities in their homeland.[2] Some Sikh families have been in the country for over 50 years.[1] The first South Korean gurdwara was established in 1998 in Sungri on rented property but it burnt down in a fire after one and a half years.[2] Thereafter, the local congregations gathered funds to buy another rental property, where a new gurdwara was officially established in 2004. There are about 550 Sikhs in South Korea, now recently the Sikhs in South were allowed to acquire South Korean citizenship.[3]
Interactions between ethnic Koreans and the new Sikh arrivals remains minimal because according to resident Akash Chodda, the native Koreans are not interested in learning about Sikhs nor their religion or culture.[4] Most of the community consists of men as it is mostly males who are immigrating to Korea.[4] A Sikh is employed as a professor at the University of Seoul.[2] Many Sikhs in the country have overstayed on their tourist visa and remain in the country until they marry locally for residency status or get deported by authorities.[2] Many of the male migrants date and marry local Korean women, who take kindly to their strong work ethic.[2] Religiosity is low amongst the Sikhs in the country and many are sehajdharis who do not observe keeping kesh (uncut hair).[2] Around 30 Sikhs in the country wear a dastar (turban).[2]
Most Sikhs in the country are working in the agricultural, trading, corporate, and restaurant sectors.[2]
