Park Mo, Assaulted While Holding a Solo Protest, to Return as Jogye Order Staff in November

Park Jung-gyu, a dismissed union member of the Jogye Order labor union, is holding a one-person protest on June 9 in front of Bongeunsa Temple in Gangnam, Seoul, demanding reinstatement to his original position. Photo by Jogye Order labor union

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] Park Jeong-gyu, a temple staff member who was dismissed by the Jogye Order and had been conducting a solo protest, will be reinstated after 9 months. In August, Park was collectively assaulted by monks while holding a solo protest in front of Bongeunsa Temple in Gangnam, demanding reinstatement.

According to the Jogye Order General Affairs Office and the labor union, the General Affairs Office held a personnel committee meeting on the 24th and decided to reinstate Park to his original position effective November 1. It is known that there were no additional requirements for his reinstatement.

Park was dismissed last November after appearing on a Buddhist internet broadcast and criticizing the "Three Treasures Temple Pilgrimage" led by former General Affairs Director Ja-seung as a "walking show." At that time, the Jogye Order stated the reason for dismissal was "publicly disparaging and mocking the Supreme Patriarch and the General Affairs Director of the order without any grounds."

However, in May, the Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission issued an opinion that Park's dismissal was unfair, and this recent action is interpreted as accepting that opinion. Inside and outside the order, it is analyzed that the newly appointed General Affairs Director Jinwoo in the previous month made this decision for the sake of order unity.

This is Park's second disciplinary action. In 2018, he established a labor union within the Jogye Order, and the following year, he raised allegations of corruption regarding the "Gamrosu" (holy water) expenses under former General Affairs Director Ja-seung, which led to disciplinary measures. At that time, two union leaders including Shim Won-seop were dismissed, and two union executives including Park were suspended, but the Supreme Court ruled the Jogye Order's disciplinary actions invalid, resulting in their reinstatement.

Since his second dismissal, Park has been conducting solo protests in front of Jogyesa Temple in Seoul and Bongeunsa Temple, demanding reinstatement to his original position.

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