By Kang Hyun-kyung
Ven. Seoljeong, president of the Jogye Order, Korea's largest Buddhist sect, said Wednesday that he would soon step down to take responsibility for corruption allegations surrounding him.
The announcement came five days after he declared to decide on whether to resign after listening to the opinions of senior Buddhist monks. He added he had "emptied" his mind.
Speaking on behalf of the Jogye Order president, Ven. Sungwoo, head of the chief monks of 25 Jogye Order head temples, quoted Seoljeong as saying that he would resign before Aug. 16 when a major meeting of senior Buddhist leaders is scheduled to take place.
Ven. Sungwoo paid a visit to the Jogye Order president prior to the announcement.
The chief monks of the Jogye Order head temples met later the same day to discuss ways to handle worsening public opinion about the sect over the corruption allegations surrounding its leadership.
Last week, they advised Ven. Seoljeong to resign as the alleged corruption scandals dealt a blow to the sect.
He is accused of having an adult daughter born to a woman identified only by her last name Kim, hiding assets under the name of his sibling and fabricating his academic background.
Seoljeong admitted he lied about his college degree but denied the allegations about the child and property. The corruption allegations caused some Buddhist monks to protest the leadership and demand Seoljeong leave the top job.
Ven. Seoljo staged a hunger strike for 41 days to put pressure on the president to step down.
His sit-in protest near the Jogye Temple ended Monday because of health risks. He urged the leadership to take action to make the Buddhist sect transparent.
Ven. Seoljeong, president of the Jogye Order, Korea's largest Buddhist sect, said Wednesday that he would soon step down to take responsibility for corruption allegations surrounding him.
The announcement came five days after he declared to decide on whether to resign after listening to the opinions of senior Buddhist monks. He added he had "emptied" his mind.
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| Ven. Seoljeong, president of Jogye Order / Yonhap |
Speaking on behalf of the Jogye Order president, Ven. Sungwoo, head of the chief monks of 25 Jogye Order head temples, quoted Seoljeong as saying that he would resign before Aug. 16 when a major meeting of senior Buddhist leaders is scheduled to take place.
Ven. Sungwoo paid a visit to the Jogye Order president prior to the announcement.
The chief monks of the Jogye Order head temples met later the same day to discuss ways to handle worsening public opinion about the sect over the corruption allegations surrounding its leadership.
Last week, they advised Ven. Seoljeong to resign as the alleged corruption scandals dealt a blow to the sect.
He is accused of having an adult daughter born to a woman identified only by her last name Kim, hiding assets under the name of his sibling and fabricating his academic background.
Seoljeong admitted he lied about his college degree but denied the allegations about the child and property. The corruption allegations caused some Buddhist monks to protest the leadership and demand Seoljeong leave the top job.
Ven. Seoljo staged a hunger strike for 41 days to put pressure on the president to step down.
His sit-in protest near the Jogye Temple ended Monday because of health risks. He urged the leadership to take action to make the Buddhist sect transparent.
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