Hwang Kyo-ahn Apologizes for Offering Dried Meat Gift to Jogye Order... "Will Thoroughly Investigate the Circumstances"

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 20th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] On the 20th, Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, apologized for the controversy over sending yukpo (dried beef jerky) to the Buddhist community, saying, "I am very sorry for causing concern to the Jogye Order."

After the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Hwang told reporters, "There was reportedly a problem during the delivery process, and we will thoroughly investigate the circumstances."

Earlier, the Liberty Korea Party sent yukpo as a holiday gift to the Jogye Order under Hwang's name, which sparked controversy. The Jogye Order is a sect influenced by Mahayana Buddhism, whose monks abstain from eating meat. Upon learning of the situation, the Liberty Korea Party claimed it was a delivery mistake and hurriedly sent staff to retrieve the gift, but criticism over the lack of consideration continued.

In particular, since Hwang, a devout Protestant, had previously caused controversy at Buddhist events by refusing to join hands in prayer, public sentiment was even less favorable.