Police Conduct On-Site Investigation at Chiljangsa Fire Where Monk Jaseung Passed Away... Two Notes Found

Former Jogye Order Chief Administrator Monk Jaseung passed away on the 29th, and in relation to the fire at Chiljangsa Temple in Anseong City, Gyeonggi Province, the police have begun a joint investigation to determine the cause.

Venerable Jaseung. [Photo by Yonhap News]

According to the police on the 30th, the Southern Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency conducted a joint investigation in the morning with the Forensic Science Unit, Anseong Police Station, fire authorities, and the National Forensic Service (NFS) at the monks' quarters (residence for monks) within Chiljangsa Temple where the fire occurred. The investigation team plans to examine the site to find the cause of the fire and collect debris requiring detailed analysis. A police official stated, "We plan to examine the combustion patterns at the fire scene to understand the overall circumstances, including the cause of ignition and the spread of the fire."

Monk Jaseung passed away due to the fire that broke out around 6:50 PM the previous day in the monks' quarters of Chiljangsa Temple. Fire authorities deployed about 60 firefighters and 18 pieces of equipment, including pump trucks, to extinguish the fire within three hours. So far, there is no evidence of arson or homicide. Although there were rumors that three other monks were present in the monks' quarters, the police confirmed through CCTV and other means that Monk Jaseung was alone. Two notes presumed to have been left by Monk Jaseung before his passing were found near the fire scene. The notes reportedly stated, "Since it is recorded on CCTV, there is no need for a troublesome investigation." A police official said, "We are investigating with all possibilities open."

For accurate identification during the investigation process, the police sent Monk Jaseung’s body to the National Forensic Service for DNA comparison. Chiljangsa Temple was designated as Gyeonggi Province Cultural Property No. 24 in September 1983. Although the wooden monks' quarters were completely destroyed by the fire, it is reported that there was no damage to the cultural property. Monk Jaseung was a high-ranking official of the Jogye Order, having served as the 33rd and 34th Chief Administrator of the Jogye Order, and was the head monk of Bongeunsa Temple in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. He was known to have shown strong missionary zeal until recently. According to the Jogye Order’s official newspaper, Buddhist Newspaper, on the 27th, Monk Jaseung stated through the media, "I do not think there will be any pilgrimages I personally organize in the future," and added, "I intend to devote all my passion for ten years to university student missionary work."