Unification minister asks for Buddhist community's role in improving inter-Korean ties
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, right, shakes hands with Ven. Jinwoo, leader of the Jogye sect, during their meeting at Jogyesa Temple in central Seoul, Aug. 4. Yonhap
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young met with the leader of the largest Buddhist sect Monday and requested the religious community to play a role in improving inter-Korean ties.
Chung made the call during a meeting with Ven. Jinwoo, leader of the Jogye sect, at Jogyesa Temple in central Seoul, amid Seoul's ongoing efforts to engage North Korea in talks aimed at easing tensions and improving relations.
"The lessons and ideas of Buddhism are powerful forces that can bring the two Koreas to peaceful coexistence again," Chung told the Jogye leader. "I will appreciate it if the Buddhist community could play a significant role."
Ven. Jinwoo gave a positive assessment of the government's ongoing outreach to North Korea, suggesting that "an approach through culture could make it more natural and smooth (for the two Koreas), and play a role in quickly fostering a reconciliatory mood."
The Buddhist leader also cited proposals for joint Buddhist events with North Korea at Mount Kumgang, a North Korean mountain recently added to the UNESCO World Heritage list, as an example of cultural inter-Korean engagement, adding, "North Korea may likely accept that."