By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
In the wake of the sinking of the naval ship Cheonan, Saturday, concerns were growing inside the ruling camp Monday as the heart-wrenching incident came on the heels of allegations involving floor leader Ahn Sang-soo of the governing Grand National Party (GNP).
Prior to the tragedy, the GNP hawk was at the center of the controversy after he allegedly demanded last November that Ven. Jaseung, the head of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, replace the chief of a Jogye temple in Gangnam, calling the latter a leftist.
The GNP, as well as the presidential office, were weary of possible negative fallout from both incidents ― the sinking of the Cheonan and Ahn's "slip of the tongue" ― ahead of the June 2 local elections.
Alarmed by the series of incidents, senior GNP legislators called on the government to take all possible measures to save the lives of the 46 missing sailors.
"I was speechless at a meeting with the families of missing soldiers," said GNP Chairman Chung Mong-joon.
"One mother of a missing sailor showed me a photo of her son, begging me to find him in the winter sea."
GNP floor leader Ahn reaffirmed that his party will take every possible measure that it can to save the sailors' lives.
"We will not give up hope until the last minute," he said, his voice rising, during a meeting with senior GNP lawmakers.
"Ruling and opposition party legislators will stop seeking partisan interests and try to find a role for the National Assembly."
Ahn has kept a low profile after his inappropriate demeanor was made public.
Earlier, he was quoted as saying that Ven. Jaseung was supposed to dismiss Ven. Myeongjin, saying the latter was critical about every move of the government.
The GNP floor leader denied the allegation that he crossed the line between religion and state.
But Ven. Myeongjin insisted he was informed about his remarks from a third person, urging Ahn to step down.
The Buddhist leader opened fire at Ven. Jaseung Sunday, alleging that the latter endorsed Lee Myung-bak as the next President when Lee was running in the presidential election in 2007 on the GNP's ticket.
The Jogye Order dismissed this claim.
The infighting inside the largest Buddhist sect in Korea turned ugly after Ven. Jaseung decided to put the Gangnam temple under his control. Under the measure, Ven. Myungjin will no longer manage the temple.
The Buddhist leader pointed to Ven. Jaseung and Ahn as the two figures behind the decision.