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KCTU head pressured to leave Jogye Temple
A monk at Jogye Temple in downtown Seoul tries to calm down a devotee, who is urging Korean Confederation of Trade Unions head Han Sang-gyun to stop seeking refuge there, in the temple’s grounds which are milling with Buddhists, civic activists and journalists, Tuesday. / Yonhap
By Lee Kyung-min
By Lee Kyung-min
Calls are mounting from citizens who attend the Jogye Temple for the head of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), Han Sang-gyun, who has taken refuge from police there, to stop “abusing” the place in pursuit of a political agenda and face investigation.
Such objections are rare, as the temple and other religious facilities have long been used in Korea as sanctuaries for social activists on the run from the authorities.
The head of the nation's second-largest umbrella union is on the police’s wanted list for refusing to appear in court on charges of organizing illegal rallies. While evading police, he appeared at the massive anti-government rally in Seoul on Nov. 14 and then took refuge at the temple.
As he has remained there for over two weeks, frustration is running high among those who go to the temple because it has become the center of a political confrontation and is surrounded by more than 500 police officers and a large number of media crews.
During his stay, Han has continued to be active online, including posting a message calling for another massive rally on Dec. 5.
According to the temple, a group of Buddhists attempted to forcibly kick the labor activist out of the temple Monday afternoon, saying Han and the KCTU were disturbing their right to meditate in silence. But the effort failed, because Han vigorously resisted during a scuffle. Approximately 10 other KCTU leaders who had taken refuge in the temple with Han were all forced out. This was the first attempt by citizens who use the temple, not law enforcement authorities, to force the activists to leave.
Earlier, Han and the other KCTU leaders said that they would remain there until Dec. 5.
“If he violated the law, then he should surrender himself to the authorities,” said Park Jun, vice chief of the temple’s Buddhist association. “Rather than face the due consequences of his actions, he is hiding behind a religious body in the hope that he will be immune to arrest.”
Park and some 150 other association leaders from across the country held a meeting to discuss the issue with temple officials on Tuesday. “We decided to wait until Dec. 6, the day after the second rally is scheduled. If Han does not leave by then, there could be another physical clash.”
But the KCTU members said that after the physical confrontation, “Han is taking refuge not as an individual but as the representative of the nation’s laborers who would suffer if the government unilaterally pushes ahead with its labor reform plan.”
They also warned police that if officers enter the temple’s grounds to arrest Han, the union will launch an all-out struggle including strikes.
After the clash, temple officials also asked Han to leave, as some monks there also opposed Han’s stay because they say if he remains there it gives the impression that the temple condones illegal violent acts. But Han rejected the request and has gone on hunger strike. The officials expressed regret, saying they would soon find a resolution to end the situation.