Religious leaders vow to seek inter-Korean religious exchanges, tackle discrimination

Ven. Wonhaeng, the leader of the Jogye Order, speaks during an online press conference, Tuesday. Courtesy of Jogye Order

By Park Ji-won

Religious leaders have pledged to promote inter-Korean religious exchanges this year while tackling discrimination against weaker members of society.

Ven. Wonhaeng, head of the Jogye Order, South Korea's largest Buddhist denomination, said Tuesday that he will work hard to push for inter-Korean religious exchanges this year by providing aid to help the North overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, and at the same time promoting joint projects.

"We will push for inter-Korean exchanges in Buddhism by closely working with the Korea Buddhist Federation of the North," Ven. Wonhaeng said during an online press conference.

He said the order will send relief goods to North Korea for coronavirus prevention, and attempt to resume existing inter-Korean projects ― which have been halted ― such as research for the restoration of temples destroyed during the Korean War, holding joint services in Singye Temple in Kangwon Province in the North, and the release of a joint prayer statement on Buddha's Birthday.

The joint projects had been pursued for years until relations between the two Koreas deteriorated due to a variety of circumstances and incidents. From 1997 to 2011, Buddhist organizations on both sides of the border issued annual joint statements to celebrate Buddha's Birthday. Also, South Koreans traveling to the Mount Geumgang Resort in the North could visit Singye Temple, which was restored by the two Koreas' Buddhist organizations in 2007. However, this was ended after a South Korean tourist to the resort was shot dead by a North Korean soldier.

Also Tuesday, the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK), which represents more liberal churches, held an online press conference and said it will also push for the resumption of ties with the North's Korean Christian Federation.

The Buddhist and Christian organizations both vowed to work to get the National Assembly to pass legislation, such as the Anti-Discrimination Act, to tackle all forms of discrimination against members of society whose voices strain to be heard.

"Discrimination against those with disabilities, or by region, race, language and religion still occurs in our society … There is a need for the legislation of the anti-discrimination law, but it has been repeatedly postponed. The order will hold prayer meetings for its legislation, show solidarity with other groups, and negotiate with the government," Ven. Wonhaeng said.

The NCCK reiterated this, pledging to take actions for the weak who are suffering from discrimination amid the spread of COVID-19.

"Hatred, discrimination, and exclusion spread amid the COVID-19 pandemic, pressuring the weak and minorities mentally and economically," the NCCK said in a statement. To spread awareness and seek improvements the council will hold a meeting this month to listen to the voices of irregular workers. The NCCK also stressed that it will take action on climate change issues by holding a symposium, publishing a report on the impact of climate change on its member churches, and releasing a statement detailing its efforts to become carbon negative by 2050.

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