Kim Jin-wook, Head of the Corruption Investigation Office, Sang Hymns at the New Year's Ceremony... Buddhist Community Demands "Resignation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] The Buddhist community has voiced opposition to Kim Jin-wook, the head of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency, for singing a hymn at the New Year's opening ceremony. Although Director Kim expressed regret and apologized regarding the matter, the Buddhist community is demanding his resignation.

According to the legal community on the 5th, Director Kim introduced the poem "By a Mighty Power" by German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer and then sang the hymn set to that poem at the agency's opening ceremony on the 2nd.

Once this fact became known, backlash arose mainly from the Buddhist community, and Director Kim promptly issued a statement of apology.

In the statement, Director Kim said, "My intention was to gather the strength and wisdom of the agency's members to overcome difficulties and meet the expectations of the people," adding, "Regardless of the reason, it was inappropriate as a public official and head of an investigative agency to engage in words and actions that could appear biased toward a particular religion."

He continued, "I sincerely apologize for causing concern to the Buddhist community and discomfort to the hearts of the monks and laypeople," and stated, "I will be more careful to ensure that such incidents do not recur and will maintain an impartial stance without any political or religious bias."

However, the Buddhist community has not softened its stance and is demanding Director Kim's immediate resignation.

The Religious Peace Committee of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism issued a statement late in the afternoon under the name of its chairman, Monk Donim, criticizing, "The head of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency should do his utmost to uphold political and religious neutrality more than anyone else, yet his act of openly displaying his personal religion at an official event is inexcusable."

They further urged, "Take responsibility as a public official for abandoning the qualifications and even the minimum conscience required of the head of an investigative agency and resign."

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