Halal tourism policies are alternatives in the diversification of the tourism industry. In non-Muslim majority countries, such as Singapore, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea, these policies expand the market segmentation, especially tourists from Muslim majority countries. This paper explains the halal tourism policy in South Korea, which only started in the last 5 years. Specifically, it analyzes various factors supporting halal tourism in South Korea, despite being a non-Muslim majority country. The study uses qualitative data collected through direct observation and interviews. This paper argues that economic and market factors are not the only considerations for the Korean government in supporting this policy. The results indicate that halal tourism emerged due to domestic demographic changes with increasing Islam in South Korea. Moreover, this policy was strengthened by China's economic pressure, which restricted its population from visiting South Korea. The restriction was due to the adoption of the THAAD policy by the Korean government. This study recommends that research on halal tourism should be conducted in other non-Muslim, or compared to Muslim majority countries. Moreover, the research time should be increased to establish result differences. Future studies should also adopt different scientific perspectives apart from international relations.   Received: 18 February 2021 / Accepted: 9 April 2021 / Published: 10 May 2021

Purpose This study aims to investigate the opinion of a group of informants in Seoul – South Korea’s foremost destination – on the possibility of developing a halal tourism policy that is closer to the wishes of Muslim customers, which is also in line with Islamic principles. Design/methodology/approach This research investigated the perceptions of 17 key informants. The data was conducted through interview about the possibility of developing an industry that is more in line with the lifestyle of Muslim tourists and more in line with halal criteria. Findings This study shows that the idea is quite attractive, especially among Seoul tourism industry players and even the South Korean Government itself. Although the potential for halal tourism is recognized, its development is currently divided into three groups, namely, groups that support the development of the policy, groups that reject and groups who do not care about it. Originality/value The research in this paper shows further developments from the studies that have been conducted in Djerba, Tunisia, that halal tourism carried out in Seoul, South Korea, has become a priority for the government through agencies/institutions/communities related to the halal industry.

This study focuses on the influence of Artificial Intelligence in the form of application (software) supporting South Korea’s halal tourism policy. Specifically, this study analyses the types of correlations between the software and the implementation of halal tourism policies in South Korea. This illustrates the influence of applications on users as Muslim tourists in South Korea. Thirty applications were randomly selected, and data were collected from Google Play Store devices through Android for the period between 2010-2020. In this study a qualitative approach was applied, and literature study was chosen to examine the data. Indicators available on the Google Play Store was used, complemented by the criteria of halal tourism collected by the authors from various sources. Based on these indicators, the results of the analysis revealed that more than 50 percent of the mentioned applications were helpful for users (Muslim tourists) led to a conclusion that artificial intelligence supports the implementation of halal tourism policies in South Korea.

This article focuses on conflict resolution in Aceh, Indonesia, and Bangsamoro, Phillipines, as a comparative study. The two different regions have at least two similar characteristics: both are recognised by central government as widely autonomous provinces compared to other provinces, and both have same problems with revolutionary groups that attempt to withdraw from central government. This qualitative research aims to examine conflict resolution process and result in both local governments. The main objective is to identify similarities rational choice (survival, security, economy/welfare, prestige, and influence) especially how political elites would still feel enjoy to conduct those agreements in both regions. The findings confirm that both GAM (Aceh) and MILF (Bangsamoro) have similar political preference sequence, but such of MNLF factions still continues their military movements. It is argued that Aceh-Indonesia conflict resolution could not automatically be applied in the Bangsamoro-Philippines issue.