Korea and Islam Trade-Historical Observations on the Middle Ages

Abstract

This paper examines the trade relations between the Islamic world and Korea in the 11th century, specifically looking into the multiple arrivals of Muslim merchants in the Kingdom of Goryeo. Muslim ships and traders conducted vigorous commercial activities on the maritime Silk Road. But their economic and diplomatic extension to the Far East should be analyzed in more detail. The historical documents from the years 1024, 1025 and 1040 could allow new investigations in this field. From these documents it can be concluded that it was not only the changes in the political climate in the Far East, but the growing mutual economic interests that bound medieval Korea to the Muslim world. 100 merchants traveling to Korea in 1024 and 1025, and the merchandise from the different regions listed in 1040, show the clout of Islam before the coming of the western powers in the Far East. © 2011 Walter de Gruyter.