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High-ranking monk caught 'drunk driving'

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  • Published Dec 8, 2014 5:41 pm KST
  • Updated Dec 8, 2014 5:41 pm KST

A high-ranking monk with the nation’s largest Buddhist order was allegedly involved in a car crash last month after driving under the influence of alcohol, Yonhap News Agency reported Monday.

The news agency did not reveal the name of the monk, but said he was slated to succeed the Jogye Order’s current chief, Venerable Jaseung.

The monk reportedly crashed into a taxi cab idling at a red light. According to Yonhap, the monk tested at 0.137 percent blood alcohol level. The legal limit is 0.1 percent.

An official from the order was quoted as saying, "The monk was summoned by the order and will face disciplinary action soon."

The reported crash followed a similar incident in August, when another high-ranking monk resigned from the order after being caught driving under the influence.