Jeong Cheong-rae's repeated apologies for 'Bongyi Kim Seondal' remarks... Conflict with Buddhist community continues
Hwang Kyo-ik "Ordinary people would accept this level of apology"
Taste columnist Hwang Kyo-ik criticized the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism for not accepting repeated apologies from Jeong Cheong-rae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Food columnist Hwang Kyo-ik criticized the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, which is demanding the expulsion of Democratic Party lawmaker Jeong Cheong-rae despite his repeated apologies for his 'Bong-i Kim Seondal' remarks, saying, "I am scared, wondering if Korean monks worship a Buddha without compassion."
On the 23rd, Hwang said on Facebook, "Jeong Cheong-rae apologized for his remarks. Nevertheless, some monks of the Jogye Order continued to insist that he apologize again."
He continued, "Jeong Cheong-rae went to a gathering where all the monks were present to apologize once more. The monks drove him out," adding, "Among ordinary people, such an apology for a slip of the tongue would be accepted. It seems the Buddhist community is different. Monks should tell us how many times Buddha said one must apologize to be forgiven for a slip of the tongue," raising his voice.
Earlier, during the National Assembly audit in October last year, Lawmaker Jeong referred to the entrance fee to the cultural heritage area of Haeinsa Temple as a 'toll' and likened the temple collecting it to 'Bong-i Kim Seondal,' which caused significant backlash from the Buddhist community.
Furthermore, on the 18th, Jeong posted on his Facebook, "'Ihaekgwan (a key figure from Lee Jae-myung's side)' came to see me. They said it was the candidate Lee Jae-myung's wish and suggested that since the Buddhist community is uneasy, I should voluntarily leave the party," adding, "I firmly refused, saying there is no leaving the party or divorce in my dictionary, and sent them away. I cannot leave the party," deepening the conflict between the two sides.
As the controversy grew, Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung and party leader Song Young-gil apologized one after another, but the Buddhist community did not accept it. Moreover, accumulated grievances from the Moon Jae-in administration erupted all at once, leading the Jogye Order to hold a 'National Monk Assembly for Eradicating Religious Bias and Buddhist Distortion and Protecting the Autonomy of Korean Buddhism' with about 5,000 monks at the Daeungjeon Hall of Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 21st.
Song and Jeong visited the National Monk Assembly that day, but due to protests from monks and believers, Jeong turned back at the entrance of Jogyesa Temple. Song also entered Jogyesa but left without stepping onto the podium.
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