Do Koreans and Saudi Arabians have same genetics DNA?

Clan genealogy in Korea is known to be created around the time of the foundation of Goryeo Kingdom (AD 918). According to scholars, currently there are approximately 300 family names in South Korea, but majority of them are of foreign origins. Saudi Arabia, as we know, did not have clan genealogy even before 100 years ago. Finding the origins of his or her clan is important for an individual, as well as a nation. Knowing historical background and having pride and dignity in their history is the key factor to make a strong nation and better future.

Surprisingly, there is a Korean clan genealogy with Arab progenitor. Its family name is Duksu “Jang” clan. According to Duksu Jang’s family council, there are approximately forty thousand (40,000) family members in South Korea alone.

During Goryeo Kingdom, Byeokrando port was a place where many Arabs interacted. Currently, it is located in North Korea near the Gaesung Industrial Complex.

People who are talented in merchandising as Arabians are called Gaesung Merchants. We estimate that many Duksu Jang’s descendants as well as other Arabian descendants are still living in North Korea.

With the Arab merchants’ DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) embedded in Koreans, Korea’s dream of becoming the third richest nation in the world with two Korea united, could be achievable, as mentioned in Goldman Sacks’ report in March 2007.

Khubilai Khan (AD 1215-1294), Genghis Khan’s grandson who conquered China, ruled extensive China by founding the Yuan Empire. He allowed Arabs, who had merchant’s mindset, to be near him or to be high governmental officials. This is the reason why many Arabians lived in China. Moreover, people are saying that merchants from China are good businessmen because they have Arabian DNA.

Since Silla Dynasty (BC 57-AD 676), by traversing China, there have been many Arabs coming to the Korean Peninsula. From that time, there have been many descendants of Arabs living in Korean Peninsula.

Recently, “In researching the viruses of Korean MERS patients, it was found that the virus that was popular in the Middle East was corresponding with the virus that are happening now in South Korea with about a 99.82% match” (Center of Planning MERS Management Headquarters, June 8). Through this research, it can be assumed that Koreans have similar genetics as Saudi Arabians vulnerable to specific virus. it is possible to claim that we are brother nation.

Descendants of Arab, Duksu “Jang”

Through the Arabian merchants who visit Unified Silla Dynasty(AD 676-918), Arabs and Korea began interactions. While Silla exchanged silk fabrics, swords and musk, Arabs traded spices and glassworks.

The history of this trade during Unified Silla Dynasty was described by Sulaeman, a merchant from Arab, in the travel literature called, “News Regarding China and India.” In this literature, it provides many information regarding how Arabs lived in Silla. Furthermore, this literature specifically describes how Arabs view Silla in the areas of: geomorphology, environment, and everyday life. Especially, when we look over the Arabian geographer’s world map (Published AD1154), made 400 years earlier than European world map, we can find descriptions of Korea. This well demonstrates that meeting of Korea-Arab has been happening from ancient times. 1000 years ago, Arabian merchants made Silk Road (land route) and opened Indian Ocean (sea route) to interact with Koreans. This historical record initially elaborates how Korea and Arabs have interacted together. [Quoting from Al-Idrisi’s “The one who across the horizon” and Korea-Arabs Society’s “Arab’s Interexchange.”, Al-Idrisi is recognized as a maestro of geography]

There is high possibility regarding “Cheo Yong’s Song”, a song made during Silla Dynasty that Cheo Yong, the main character of the song, is Arabian. Moreover, to exchange the products with Jang Bo Go, who is known as king of ocean in Silla, many Arabians came to Korea through sea routes. From that time, Arabians introduced Silla as a good country to live in; it was why many Arabians and Persians lived in Silla.

Published in a book called “History of Arabs”(AD1230), during the mid of 7th century, Wabidan, a prince from Persia, came to Silla in AD 651, due to the collapse of his country. He lived in Silla for approximately 20 years and he later returned to Bagdad in Iraq for the restoration of imperial rule.

Especially, Arab merchants who traded with a person recognized as a king of ocean, Jang Bo Go (AD 846 Death), described Korea as, “A place where there is no contagious disease, but has pure water, fertile lands, unsophisticated citizens, and beautiful climates.” In Islamic nations, they described Korea as a place of, “Immortal place where most people would like to visit in their lives.” From that time, Arab traders called Silla as, “Kkuria,” which is currently called same “Korea”. At that time, it is interesting to see that both culture shared similar clothing customs. While men in Silla, Goryeo, and Chosun Dynasty wore white cloths, women hid their faces and bodies, made more babies, and focused to make foods.

During Silla Dynasty, most of Arabs from Abbas Monarchy (Islamic Monarchy, AD 750-1258) came to current Ulsan harbor. During the Goryeo Dynasty, they came to Byeokrando. In that era, In Islam, any Arabians who visit the holy places, Mekka and Medina, say that their home country is Saudi Arabia.

Yuan Empire and Goryeo were allied nations through marriage. To marry King Chungryeol (AD 1274-1308) from Goryeo, Khubilai Khan’s daughter, Princess Jaeguk brought many Arabian attendants. During that time, among many of these attendants who were Arabians, one of them had an opportunity to be named as Jang Soon Yong by the king. This is who we consider as Duksu Jang’s progenitor.

During that time, Arabians in Goryeo made their own communities and an Arabian even became a government employee of Goryeo.

In “Goryosa” (Published AD 1451, History book of Goryeo), it says that in the year 1024 and 1025, 100 Arabians came to Byeokrando, an international trading harbor, each year. Although Duksu Jang was the only Arabian person to be bestowed a family name by the king of Goryeo, we can assume that there would be other Arabians to experience the same opportunity.

To find their ancestry, the Duksu Jang’s family council published the article (English), “Relationship of Korea-Arabia” and sent it to Saudi Arabia’s 3rd king, “Faisal” through a letter on (August 8, 1967).

On 2015.5, the chairman of KSFS visited Saudi Arabia; he went to King Saud University (KSU), King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), and Saudi Commission for Tourism & Antiquities (SCTA) and delivered the epistle saying, “Koreans are looking for Arabian ancestors.” Moreover, he proposed the idea of both countries and organizations cooperating together for this research. He then received the positive response that they will cooperate in doing this research.

Arab descendants, who are living in Korean Peninsula, are being the bridge of world peace and Korea unification

Since the Silla Dynasty, 1200 years ago, Korea had interacted with Arab and Arabians. Since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1962, Two Countries Amity allowed many employees and nurses came to Saudi Arabia for “The Middle East Construction Boom” during the 1970s.

Regarding this matter, KSFS is planning to develop relationship building projects in line with mutual research on historical studies. In South Korea, after diplomatic relationship, we have approximately 5 million man-days (we estimate half of them already passed away) people visited Saudi Arabia. For this reason, we are planning to make a “Saudi Arabia Culture Town” in South Korea and “Korea Culture Town” in Saudi Arabia.

Arabian Peninsula has great cultures and histories. Beginning of this year, King “Salman” has ascended the throne. We are expecting his leadership and shift in new generation to make new history in constructing peace of humankind. Furthermore, Koreans, who have the beautiful country and are also Silla’s descendants in having Arabian DNA, have to put effort in making better and more sophisticated technologies. This will highly encourage the nation to have common prosperity with Saudi Arabia.

During Asia Leadership Conference in Seoul last month (May 23), John Aberald, who was the ambassador of the United Kingdom to North Korea, claimed, “Six party talks had lost its power. This is the moment to open new North Korea’s Nuclear Channel issue.”

Now is the time that brethren nations, which have a relationship with North Korea, should be engaged in the different types of nuclear talks.

Due to “the Middle East boom,” that happened in 1970s, there were many Korean females going to Saudi Arabia as nurses; they married with Saudi men. We expect Saudi Arabia to be the nation bridging to make the Unified Korean Peninsula.

–Lee, Jong Cheon(Abdullah Lee)