The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Tue, May 17, 2022 | 13:32
President Embarrassed Over Angry Buddhists
Posted : 2008-07-30 17:54
Updated : 2008-07-30 17:54
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down


By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter

Conflict between Buddhists and the Lee Myung-bak government is escalating with Buddhists openly denouncing what they call a series of discriminative measures against the religion.

They claim they receive such ``disrespectful'' treatment because the President is a Christian.

The latest incident came Tuesday when police searched a Buddhist leaders' car.

Ven. Jigwan, executive chief of the Korean Buddhist Jogye Order, was on his way to a meeting when police officers stopped the car at the gate of Jogye Temple in central Seoul around 4 p.m. The temple has been under police surveillance since July 6, as six anti-U.S. beef candlelight rally organizers sought refuge there in order to avoid arrest.

``As Ven. Jigwan lowered the car window and showed his face to the officers to identify himself, an officer said `We need a more thorough inspection,' and searched the car, opening the trunk,'' Ven. Seungwon, the spokesman of the order said.

Some 70 staff members of the order visited Jongno Police Station in the evening to protest, and the station chief apologized. Soul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Kim Suk-ki also tried to visit Ven. Jigwan to apologize, but he refused to meet the chief.

``According to the law, police can search criminals caught red-handed or those likely to commit crimes. This incident shows police regarded the executive chief, who represents 20 million Korean Buddhists, as a criminal or would-be-criminal,'' the spokesman said.

They demanded those in charge of the incident be punished, National Police Agency Commissioner General Eo Cheong-soo resign, and police officers around the temple be withdrawn.

It is not the first time that the Buddhist circle has protested against the Lee government for ``inhospitable'' treatment.

In June, it was found that a transportation information service provided by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs did not include locations of temples across the nation. Following protests from Buddhists, Minister Chung Jong-hwan apologized.

Days later, it was also found that information maps for the Cheonggye Stream, which is Lee's most symbolic achievement during his Seoul mayorship, omitted temples.

Almost at the same period, police chief Eo appeared on a poster promoting a Christian event for police, aggravating the Buddhist backlash against the government's ``pro-Christian'' attitude.

The Buddhist circle claimed the Lee government discriminates against Buddhism. Following this, Prime Minister Han Seung-soo visited Ven. Jigwan last week and said the government does not lean toward or discriminate against specific religions.

``The search of Ven. Jigwan shows that the prime minister's pledge was in vain. It also shows how coercively police treat people. We believe this case symbolizes how the Lee government disrespects 1,700 years of Korean Buddhist history,'' the spokesman said.

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr
 
  • [EXCLUSIVE] Samsung drops plan to enter electric vehicle market
  • Seoul making moves to rein in increasing subway crimes
  • Helicopter crashes in Geoje; 3 seriously injured
  • Champion Cho A-yean's weakness
  • North Korea wrestles with worst health crisis
  • South Korea's new COVID-19 cases hit 4-month low amid efforts for return to normalcy
  • Korean Lee Kyoung-hoon defends PGA Tour title in Texas
  • T'way Air to open Incheon-Singapore route this month
  • Wealth gap expands among young generations
  • North Korean leader issues special order on medicine supply against epidemic: state media
  • What do Hong Kong students think of Korea? What do Hong Kong students think of Korea?
  • Kim Seon-ho to play male lead in 'Touching the Void' this July Kim Seon-ho to play male lead in 'Touching the Void' this July
  • Britney Spears says she has lost baby in a miscarriage Britney Spears says she has lost baby in a miscarriage
  • [INTERVIEW] 'Monstrous' creator Yeon Sang-ho gives his thoughts on divided reaction [INTERVIEW] 'Monstrous' creator Yeon Sang-ho gives his thoughts on divided reaction
  • Award-winning play explores family longing, aims to go global Award-winning play explores family longing, aims to go global
DARKROOM
  • 2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

    2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

  • Worsening drought puts millions at risk

    Worsening drought puts millions at risk

  • Our children deserve the best

    Our children deserve the best

  • End of mask mandates

    End of mask mandates

  • Rio Carnival returns after two-year hiatus

    Rio Carnival returns after two-year hiatus

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group