Han Sang-gyun (L), chief of an umbrella union, walks out with Ven. Dobeop from a building at Jogye Temple in Seoul on Dec, 10, 2015, to turn himself in to the police. Han has been taking shelter at the temple since Nov. 16 after police sought to arrest him on suspicion of organizing a mass rally on Nov. 14 that turned violent. The police were about to force their way into the temple to arrest Han, but after talks with Jogye officials, Han decided to end his refuge. (Yonhap)
This is one of these only in Korea stories where Buddhists are in conflict with leftist anti-government thugs who are hiding from authorities in their temple:
A monk at Jogye Temple in downtown Seoul tries to calm down a devotee, who is urging Korean Confederation of Trade Unions head Han Sang-gyun to stop seeking refuge there, in the temple’s grounds which are milling with Buddhists, civic activists and journalists, Tuesday. / Yonhap
Calls are mounting from citizens who attend the Jogye Temple for the head of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), Han Sang-gyun, who has taken refuge from police there, to stop “abusing” the place in pursuit of a political agenda and face investigation.
Such objections are rare, as the temple and other religious facilities have long been used in Korea as sanctuaries for social activists on the run from the authorities.
The head of the nation’s second-largest umbrella union is on the police’s wanted list for refusing to appear in court on charges of organizing illegal rallies. While evading police, he appeared at the massive anti-government rally in Seoul on Nov. 14 and then took refuge at the temple.
As he has remained there for over two weeks, frustration is running high among those who go to the temple because it has become the center of a political confrontation and is surrounded by more than 500 police officers and a large number of media crews.
During his stay, Han has continued to be active online, including posting a message calling for another massive rally on Dec. 5.
According to the temple, a group of Buddhists attempted to forcibly kick the labor activist out of the temple Monday afternoon, saying Han and the KCTU were disturbing their right to meditate in silence. But the effort failed, because Han vigorously resisted during a scuffle. Approximately 10 other KCTU leaders who had taken refuge in the temple with Han were all forced out. This was the first attempt by citizens who use the temple, not law enforcement authorities, to force the activists to leave. [Korea Times]
Parents of college aspirants take part in a Buddhist prayer at the main hall of Jogye Temple in Seoul on Aug. 4, 2015, to wish for their high scores on the state-administered annual scholastic aptitude test in November. The crucial test is seen as a deciding factor in an applicant’s choice of college and subsequent career. (Yonhap)
