Taego Order Chief Administrator: "The Country Is Divided... Whether Impeachment or Not, It Must End Quickly"

"It feels like the country is split into two (...) Whether it is impeachment or not, I hope it ends soon."

On the 13th, Sangjin Sunim, the Chief Executive of the Korean Buddhist Taego Order, said this at a press conference held at the Korean Buddhist Cultural Heritage Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Regarding President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment, he stated that public opinion is divided and the people are going through a very difficult time, emphasizing that "we must unite as soon as possible."

The executive members of the Korean Buddhist Taego Order, including Sangjin Seunim, the Chief Executive of the General Affairs Office, are holding a press conference. Photo by Seo Mideum

This year's slogan for the Taego Order is "A World Together - Beyond Conflict and Confrontation, a Zone of Integration." Sangjin Sunim explained, "In the midst of the presidential impeachment situation, the people are divided and society is moving toward confrontation, so this slogan reflects our wish to overcome this serious situation."

Sangjin Sunim showed a cautious attitude regarding religion's direct influence on politics. When asked about the role of religion in the current chaotic situation, he replied, "It does not seem like a matter that religious organizations should interfere with," but added, "Shouldn't we accurately define what is wrong?"

At the press conference, the Taego Order announced its New Year's plans. Notably, they revealed plans to establish the Taego Citizen Meditation Center on the 4th floor of the Korean Buddhist Traditional Culture Heritage Center to provide a time of recovery through meditation for reflecting on one's life.

Additionally, using Bongwon Temple, a Taego Order temple, as a base, they plan to widely promote traditional rituals such as Yeongsanjae (靈山齋), a national intangible cultural heritage managed by the Yeongsanjae Preservation Society, a non-profit organization for national intangible cultural assets, and to increase international exchanges. They also announced that in July this year, they will invite monks from Chinese Buddhist organizations for an exchange event.