Buddhist Beophwajong Chief Administrator Sentenced to 10 Months in Prison for Taking Bribes, Legally Detained

Changwon District Court. (Photo by Changwon District Court)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Ju Cheol-in] The General Secretary and the Office Director of the Beophwa Order, who received bribes in exchange for the reappointment of the head monk of a temple affiliated with the order, were suddenly detained in court during the appeal trial.

The Changwon District Court Criminal Division 1 (Chief Judge Ryu Gi-in) upheld the original sentence on the 9th during the appeal trial, sentencing Hwang Mo (62), the General Secretary of the Korean Buddhist Beophwa Order, and Jo Mo (55), the Office Director, to 10 months and 8 months imprisonment, respectively.

The court also upheld the original ruling that imposed a fine of 36 million won on each of them and dismissed all their appeals.

Hwang and Jo were indicted without detention on charges of receiving 136.8 million won from Jo Mo (55), the head monk of a temple affiliated with the order in Gyeonggi Province, as a bribe for the reappointment of the head monk, and personally using 72 million won.

Hwang, the General Secretary of the Beophwa Order, also serves as the head monk of Anjeongsa Temple in Tongyeong.

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