Greetings Exchanged at Jogyesa Temple on the 30th Spark Interest
Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party (left), and President Moon Jae-in. / Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] The greeting exchanged between President Moon Jae-in and Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, at the Jogyesa Temple elevation ceremony has become a hot topic. When President Moon extended his hand for a handshake, Lee bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle in greeting, while Kwon Seong-dong, a People Power Party lawmaker considered part of the so-called 'Yoon core group,' gave a light nod.
President Moon, along with his wife Kim Jung-sook, attended the elevation ceremony for the 15th Jogye Order Supreme Patriarch, 'Great Monk Jungbong Seongpa,' held at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno, Seoul, at 2 p.m. on the 30th. The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism is one of the largest Buddhist sects in Korea, and the Supreme Patriarch symbolizes the sect’s spiritual authority and succession of lineage, holding the highest authority and status as the senior elder, appointed every five years.
This is the first time a sitting president has attended the Jogye Order Supreme Patriarch elevation ceremony. In his congratulatory speech, President Moon recalled the teachings of Supreme Patriarch Jungbong Seongpa on respect and consideration, expressing his hope that "our society will move beyond conflict and confrontation toward an era of harmony and unity, following those teachings."
Political figures such as Song Young-gil, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Yoon Ho-jung, emergency committee chairman of the Democratic Party, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, Kwon Seong-dong, People Power Party lawmaker, and Yeo Young-guk, leader of the Justice Party, also attended the ceremony.
President Moon Jae-in patted the shoulder of Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, who had turned his back, and extended his hand for a handshake. Lee bowed his head at a 90-degree angle in response. / Video captured from YouTube
After the elevation ceremony, President Moon shook hands and exchanged greetings with each attendee one by one. A moment was captured on camera where President Moon lightly tapped the back of a young man who was turned away. This man was Lee Jun-seok.
President Moon extended his hand to Lee, who, upon recognizing the president, respectfully bowed at a 90-degree angle in greeting. Following this, President Moon also exchanged a light handshake with lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong.
As the video gained attention online, netizens responded with comments such as "It's nice to see a polite greeting regardless of political stance," "Very courteous," "They look amicable toward each other," and "Considering their ages, it’s natural to greet each other respectfully like a father and son."
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