Jinwoo Monk Facing Itaewon Tragedy Bereaved Families: "If You Only Grieve, Your Soul Also Grieves"

Meeting with 5 Bereaved Families Ahead of 1st Anniversary of Itaewon Tragedy
Promise of Interfaith Cooperation for Passage of Special Act

"While distinguishing right from wrong, we should not grieve endlessly for the 영가 (spirit)."

These were the words of Ven. Jinwoo, the Chief Executive of the Jogye Order, who met with five bereaved families of the Itaewon tragedy victims on the 26th. The meeting took place that afternoon at the Korean Buddhist History and Culture Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Ven. Jinwoo said, "It is good for the 영가 as well as comforting for the families to send them off if we pray, 'Find your happiness and joy quickly and form new connections.'"

On the 26th, Lee Jeong-min, chairman of the victims' families association, along with other families of the Itaewon disaster victims, visited the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism's headquarters in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to meet with Jinwoo Sunim, the head of the order. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the Itaewon tragedy, Ven. Jinwoo expressed sympathy for the families' pain, saying, "I feel sorry even to offer words of consolation," and called it an "unthinkable event." He continued, "There is a time to be born and a time to die; a time for the sun to rise and a time for it to set. Some times come relatively earlier, and some come later. Since we believe that the cycle of life continues through reincarnation, please believe this even if it is difficult."

On the issue of the bereaved families' demand for a thorough investigation, he said, "Let the right and wrong be determined accordingly," but also urged, "Please keep your hearts broad and at ease." He pledged that the Jogye Order would cooperate at the institutional level to help pass the special law on the Itaewon tragedy.

Ven. Jinwoo serves as the co-chair of the Korean Religious Leaders Council, which includes the seven major religious orders in Korea: Buddhism, Protestantism, Won Buddhism, Confucianism, Cheondoism, Catholicism, and Korean ethnic religions. With the first anniversary of the tragedy just three days away, they are considering issuing a joint message.