President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 30th, "We will establish a Religious Heritage Cooperation Officer within the National Heritage Agency, which will be reorganized in May, to systematically and efficiently protect religious heritage, including Buddhist heritage."
President Yoon made this remark while attending the 'Buddhist Grand Festival to Welcome the New Year of Buddhist Era 2568,' saying, "Traditional culture is at the root of Korean culture, and Buddhism stands at its center."
He added, "I sympathize with the Buddhist community's efforts to contribute to the mental health of the people through the popularization of 'Seon (Zen) meditation,'" and said, "The government and the Buddhist community will work together so that the people can become more peaceful and happy."
President Yoon, along with Jinwoo Sunim, chairman of the Korean Buddhist Jogye Order Council, and Juhyunwoo, president of the Korean University Buddhist Federation, hung prayer wishes written on prayer papers onto lanterns.
The Presidential Office conveyed that President Yoon made a prayer wishing for the happiness of all citizens at this event.
The event was attended by heads of various Buddhist orders, National Assembly floor leader Yoon Jae-ok, Joo Ho-young, chairman of the National Assembly Jeonggakhoe, as well as ruling and opposition lawmakers, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon, Minister of Environment Han Hwa-jin, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Park Sang-woo, and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon.
Also present were Lee Gwan-seop, Chief Secretary to the President and president of the Presidential Office Buddhist Association, along with Sung Tae-yoon, Director of Policy, Hwang Sang-moo, Senior Secretary for Civil Society, and In Seong-hwan, Second Deputy Director of the National Security Office.
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