President Moon: "I will do my best during the remaining period... I will return to being a private citizen and live a forgotten life"

Seongpa Jongjeong "Cooperation with Religious Community to Successfully Complete Term"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in stated on the 30th, "I will do my best during the remaining period and, after returning to being a private citizen, live a forgotten life, a free life."

On the same day, President Moon attended the '15th Supreme Patriarch Jungbong Seongpa Great Monk Enthronement Ceremony' of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism held at Jogyesa Temple in Seoul and made this statement.

Before the enthronement ceremony, President Moon had a tea meeting attended by Supreme Patriarch Seongpa, Chief Executive Monk Wonhaeng, Chairman of the Central Council Monk Jeongmun, and Director of the Discipline Committee Monk Bogwang, and prayed that our society would move toward an era of harmony and unity on the occasion of the enthronement of the highest elder of the Buddhist community, the Supreme Patriarch.

At the event, President Moon said, "I hope that the Supreme Patriarch will lead not only the harmony of the Buddhist community but also the great unity of our entire society," adding, "After I retire, I will live near Tongdosa Temple, so I will visit often and seek your guidance."

He continued, "I will do my best during the remaining period and, after returning to being a private citizen, live a forgotten life, a free life."

The Supreme Patriarch expressed gratitude, saying, "Thank you for attending the Supreme Patriarch Enthronement Ceremony and for the consideration of the Buddhist community," and added, "I have respected President Moon for a long time and have felt close to him in my heart."

He also emphasized the saying ‘Haengbaekrijaban gusimri’ (行百里者半九十里), meaning that a person walking a hundred ri considers ninety ri as half the journey, highlighting the importance of the remaining ten ri, and added that the religious community would cooperate to help President Moon successfully complete his term.

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