Lee Jae-myung Calms Angry Buddhist Sentiment... Meets Monk Jaseung, Apologizes for Causing Discomfort

Conflict Following 'Bongi Kim Seondal' Remark... Lee Personally Visits Bongeunsa Temple to Repeatedly Express Apology

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, visited Bongeunsa Temple in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 16th to meet Buddhist figures including Monk Jaseung. / Photo by Lee Myunghwan

[Asia Economy Reporters Baek Kyunghwan and Lee Myunghwan] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, met with Monk Jaseung, former General Secretary of the Jogye Order. Following Representative Jeong Cheong-rae's 'Bongi Kim Seondal' remark, this meeting aimed to resolve conflicts between the Democratic Party and the Buddhist community, with the candidate repeatedly expressing apologies to the Buddhist community.

According to Democratic Party officials on the 16th, Lee met with Monk Jaseung, Monk Deokmun, Monk Seongmun, and others at Bongeunsa Temple in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, saying, "I sincerely apologize for the various inconveniences caused to the Buddhist community so far," and added, "I am truly grateful for your great magnanimity and acceptance."

Earlier, Representative Jeong sparked backlash from the Buddhist community by referring to the entrance fee for the cultural heritage area of Haeinsa Temple as a toll and calling it 'Bongi Kim Seondal' during the National Assembly audit in October last year. This statement reflected concerns raised since the abolition of national park entrance fees in 2007, questioning why some hikers who do not visit temples must pay cultural heritage area entrance fees. Some temples designated as national cultural assets currently charge cultural heritage viewing fees under the Cultural Heritage Protection Act.

However, the Jogye Order's Central Council issued a statement demanding an apology and even requested Jeong's expulsion from the Democratic Party. They also held a nationwide monks' assembly attended by about 5,000 monks from Jogyesa Temple, calling for an apology over religious bias. Despite multiple apologies from Representative Jeong and Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil, the conflict remained unresolved.

Within the Democratic Party, efforts were made to restore relations with the Buddhist community ahead of the presidential election. Following Leader Song, floor leader Yoon Ho-jung and other leadership members stepped forward, and Representative Jeong personally visited the Jogye Order to apologize. Recently, about 30 Democratic Party leaders and lawmakers visited Jogyesa Temple and performed 108 prostrations of repentance.

On this day, the candidate expressed his apology and said, "I repeatedly thank the Buddhist community for leading national unity with the spirit of patriotic Buddhism whenever the country faces difficulties," adding, "In these challenging times due to Omicron, I will do my best to care for people's livelihoods and create a world without discrimination, where we all live well together." Monk Jaseung responded, "Political leaders should think of the people and promote harmony to ensure the country's prosperity and well-being, and create a world without discrimination," and urged, "I hope the Democratic Party and candidate Lee will take the lead," according to Democratic Party officials.

Kim Young-bae, a Supreme Council member who attended the meeting, said, "Since the Pan-Buddhist Conference scheduled for February will not be held, we understand that the conflict has been officially resolved procedurally," adding, "Although this visit by the candidate was unofficial, from our perspective, it is a new start and a visit to appeal for support."

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