Gominjeong: "Yoon, after Geonjinbeopsa became known, disbanded the organization... Just cutting first and seeing"

"Didn't you say you were never appointed as Geonjinbeopsa?" Criticism

Ko Min-jung, Democratic Party of Korea / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Go Minjung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, for abruptly disbanding the Network Headquarters under the party's election campaign headquarters, which had sparked controversy over the participation of shamans, saying, "It’s about cutting first to win the election."

On the 18th, Go wrote on her Facebook, "When the issue of Kim Geon-hee kept surfacing day after day, Candidate Yoon pledged to abolish the 2nd Secretariat. This time, when the existence of 'Geonjin Beopsa,' who was not even appointed to the Network Headquarters, became known, he ordered the disbandment of the Network Headquarters," she said.

She continued, "Candidate Yoon, who begged for leniency regarding his own mistakes but eventually apologized reluctantly under public pressure, cuts off issues related to others without hesitation. Yet, he fails to cut off the people who should actually be removed in time," she criticized.

She added, "We don’t know who is in the Network Headquarters, but there must be people who quit their jobs and are devoted with their own beliefs. Moreover, wasn’t it said that Geonjin Beopsa was never appointed to that headquarters?" she pointed out.

Go said, "We will have to watch what other organizations will be cut in the future," adding, "I do not expect the virtue of Chunpoong Chusang (春風秋霜 ? meaning to be gentle to others but strict with oneself)."

Earlier, on the 17th, the Segye Ilbo reported that Jeon, a shaman known as 'Geonjin Beopsa,' was acting as an advisor in the People Power Party’s Network Headquarters. According to the media, Jeon was also involved in activities such as talent recruitment.

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the launch ceremony of the 5th term of the Buddhist Leaders Forum held at Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 17th. / Photo by Yonhap News

Before joining the campaign headquarters, Jeon ran a Buddhist temple in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and engaged in shamanistic activities, using titles such as Chief Secretary of Ilgwang Jogye Order.

In response, the People Power Party’s Public Relations Team immediately denied the claims. In a statement released that day, the PR team said, "Jeon was never appointed as an advisor to the campaign headquarters’ National Network Committee. It is also not true that he is a shaman; he is known to hold the position of Planning Director at the Korea Buddhist Jogye Order Council. Although he has visited the National Network Committee a few times, there was absolutely no involvement in the campaign headquarters’ schedules, messages, or personnel matters," they stated.

Candidate Yoon also met with reporters after attending the launch ceremony of the 5th Buddhist Leaders Forum at the Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the same day, saying, "Our party officials were introduced to him and greeted him, but I know him as a monk. I heard he is a Beopsa (Dharma teacher)." However, he dismissed the claims, saying, "He holds no position, and the idea that he manages schedules and messages is absurd."

One day after the allegations surfaced, on the 18th, Candidate Yoon abruptly disbanded the Network Headquarters. Kwon Young-se, head of the People Power Party’s election campaign headquarters, announced at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, "As of this moment, the Network Headquarters is disbanded. This is the candidate’s decision."

He added, "As you know, this is a firm measure to block unnecessary rumors and misunderstandings about the candidate surrounding the Network Headquarters. We will continue to take measures to remove parts that could cause harm related to malicious misunderstandings and rumors," he said.