Yoon Seok-yeol's 'Geonjinbeopsa' Camp Advisor Controversy... Past Incident of Offering 'Skinned Cow' as Sacrifice Also Causes Stir

Shaman 'Geonjin Beopsa' Suspected of Advisory Role in Yoon's Campaign Headquarters
People Power Party: "Not a Shaman, Member of the Korean Buddhist Jogye Order Council"
Controversy Over Display of Cowhide at 2018 Event by the Organization

In 2018, a cow with its skin peeled off was offered as a sacrifice at a religious event in Chungju, sparking controversy. Photo by Facebook capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Controversy has arisen following reports that Jeon Mo, a shaman known as 'Geonjin Beopsa,' served as an advisor in the election campaign headquarters of Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate. It has been revealed that the organization to which Jeon belongs previously caused public uproar by hosting an event where a skinned cow was offered as a sacrifice.

On the 17th, Segye Ilbo reported that Jeon was active as an advisor in the Network Headquarters, a subordinate organization of Yoon's campaign headquarters, and was involved in talent recruitment. According to the report, before joining the campaign headquarters, Jeon operated a Buddhist temple in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and engaged in shamanistic activities, using titles such as General Secretary of Ilgwang Jogyejong.

In response, the People Power Party's Public Relations Team stated in a notice that "Jeon was never appointed as an advisor to the National Network Committee of the campaign headquarters," adding, "It is also untrue that he is a shaman; we understand he holds the position of Planning Director at the Korea Buddhist Jogyejong Council. Although he has visited the National Network Committee several times, he had no involvement in the campaign headquarters' schedules, messages, or personnel matters."

The Korea Buddhist Jogyejong Council mentioned by the People Power Party is known to have a history of controversy for conducting a ritual involving a skinned cow at a religious event in Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do, in 2018.

The event, titled the "2018 Suryeok Daejae and National Peace Lantern Festival," was hosted by Ilgwang Jogyejong and organized by the Korea Buddhist Jogyejong Council. The event was held with the purpose of safely hosting the World Firefighters Games in Chungju and praying for the city's economic development. However, during the event, a skinned cow carcass was presented as a sacrifice and displayed until the event concluded, prompting a flood of protests from citizens.

According to a media report at the time, the general secretary monk of Ilgwang Jogyejong who planned the event explained, "We entrusted part of the event to shamans and did not anticipate such a situation," adding, "I understand that sacrifices are essential in shamanistic ceremonies. There are rumors that a cow was slaughtered here, but we brought a slaughter certificate." The Chungju city government also stated that it was not aware in advance that a cow carcass would be displayed during the event.

Meanwhile, Ilgwang Jogyejong and the Korea Buddhist Jogyejong Council, to which Jeon belongs, are unrelated to the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Ilgwang Jogyejong is also reportedly not included among the Buddhist orders affiliated with the Korean Buddhist Federation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.