Kim Eui-gyeom "Yoon's name on lantern at shamanistic ritual with cowhide removed"... Opposition "President's lantern too" [Summary]

Yeo Kim Eui-gyeom "Yoon Couple's Lanterns at Geonjin Beopsa Gut"
Opposition "No Involvement in Event... Malicious Mudslinging"

On the 23rd, Kim Eui-gyeom, a member of the Open Democratic Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, revealing a photo of Geonjin Beopsa attending an event related to Kim Gun-hee, the wife of Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Kim Euigyeom, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, raised additional suspicions of a 'shamanism controversy,' stating that he confirmed lanterns bearing the names of Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, and his spouse at a shamanistic event in the past where the skin of a living cow was flayed, causing controversy. In response, the People Power Party criticized it as "malicious slander."

On the 15th, Rep. Kim held a press conference at the Yeouido party headquarters in Seoul, claiming that Jeon, known as the 'Geonjin Beopsa,' who is suspected of being deeply involved in Yoon's campaign operations, had organized the event that sparked the 'flayed cow skin' controversy in the past.

At a press conference held on the 23rd at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, Open Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Eui-gyeom is revealing photos and videos showing Buddhist monk Geonjin attending the VIP opening event of the 'Mark Rothko' exhibition hosted by Covana Contents at the Seoul Arts Center in 2015.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Rep. Kim stated, "On September 9, 2018, at Jungangtap in Chungju City, a ritual was held where the skin of a living cow was flayed, causing a huge controversy. Although it appeared to be a Buddhist event, it was closer to a shamanistic ritual where the cow's skin was flayed and displayed, and about ten pig carcasses were exhibited in front of the stage," adding, "This event was hosted by Ilgwang Jogye Order, and its official name was '2018 Surik Daejae'."

According to Rep. Kim, Ilgwang Jogye Order is a sect created primarily by Jeon, the 'Geonjin Beopsa,' who served as an advisor and influential figure in Yoon's election campaign network headquarters. It is unrelated to traditional Buddhist orders such as the Jogye Order.

Rep. Kim revealed photos showing lanterns bearing the names of Yoon and his spouse Kim Geon-hee at the event. The photos he disclosed showed lanterns with the names Yoon Seok-yeol and Kim Geon-hee displayed.

Photo by Kim Euigyeom, captured from the Facebook page of Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker.

He pointed out, "During the event, above the head of Hye-woo, who was giving a greeting speech, I confirmed lanterns bearing the name 'Kobana Contents CEO Kim Geon-hee.' There were even two of them. Next to them, I also confirmed lanterns bearing the name 'Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office Chief Prosecutor Yoon Seok-yeol' hanging side by side."

He continued, "The lanterns bearing their names are not the typical lanterns seen at Buddhist events. They are unfamiliar lanterns decorated with a three-legged crow pattern and a Taegeuk symbol. They are closer to shamanism than Buddhism," and questioned, "How should we interpret the fact that the names of the Yoon Seok-yeol-Kim Geon-hee couple and the title of Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office Chief Prosecutor are displayed side by side at such an event?"

Furthermore, he emphasized, "No one who is swayed by shamanism and sorcery should become president. It must never happen that a shaman who conducts cruel rituals is a behind-the-scenes power, deciding the nation's fate based on his divinations."

In response, Lee Yang-su, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party's election campaign headquarters, issued a statement that day, saying, "Rep. Kim has once again brought up malicious slander today," and "The Yoon couple neither paid for lanterns nor were involved in any form with the event."

Lee explained, "According to the YouTube video of the 2018 event, it appears that names of various prominent figures were attached next to the lanterns," adding, "Among the names displayed were 'President' and Lee Si-jong, governor of North Chungcheong Province from the Democratic Party. These names even had special blue-colored patterns at the top."

He also claimed, "According to media reports, the event was organized by the Korean Buddhist Jogye Council, where Seo, who served as secretary-general at the time and was the head of the Buddhist division of Lee Jae-myung's Gyeonggi Province governor candidate campaign in the June 2018 local elections, and who read a declaration of support on behalf of supporters when seven religious organizations endorsed Lee Jae-myung at the Far East Building in Yeouido last year, was involved."

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is appealing for support at the 'An Era of Fairness and Common Sense with Youth!' rally held on the afternoon of the 15th at Jeolm-eum Street in Seomyeon, Busan. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee criticized, "Rep. Kim distributed this material to claim that the event organized by the group where Seo, who worked in Lee Jae-myung's campaign in 2018 as secretary-general, had the names of the president and Governor Lee Si-jong attached, implying that they are a 'shamanistic group' and 'people swayed by shamanism and sorcery.' This is crossing the line and leads to such tragic consequences."

He added, "Rep. Kim repeatedly and maliciously disseminates false information about candidate Yoon," and stated, "Rep. Kim can only be seen as a person who has abandoned not only the basic duties of a member of the National Assembly but also human decency. We hope he resigns from his position as a lawmaker for the sake of the people."

In response, Rep. Kim posted on Facebook, "Regarding the lantern labeled 'President,' after verification, the president never sent any lanterns to this event," and "The Blue House also clearly stated that 'lantern offerings are only made at some temple precincts on Buddha's Birthday, and no lantern offerings are made for specific events,' and 'In 2018, the Blue House did not send anything, including lanterns, in the name of the president to the organizations or events mentioned in the article.'"

Rep. Kim also urged the People Power Party, "If you want to refute, please do so logically. Do not drag in the unrelated president to cover up the facts and divert attention," and said, "Still, the fact that the Yoon Seok-yeol-Kim Geon-hee couple was involved in the shamanistic ritual where cow skin was flayed cannot be concealed."

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