President Yoon Mourns the Passing of Venerable Myungjin

President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed his condolences over the passing of Venerable Myungjin, former head monk of Bongeunsa Temple, stating, "I share the sorrow of the entire nation as we bid farewell to a great elder of the Korean Buddhist community."

On August 22, President Yoon posted a message on Facebook titled, 'In Mourning for Venerable Myungjin,' expressing his shock and sadness at the sudden news of the monk's passing.

The president recalled a lunch he had with Venerable Myungjin last July, sharing the late monk's words of wisdom. "At that time, the monk said, 'Please open the way for a world where workers suffering from wealth disparity can live equally, and for peace on the Korean Peninsula,'" Yoon reflected.

He noted that those words encapsulated the path of practice and compassion that Venerable Myungjin had followed throughout his life.

President Yoon also highlighted the monk's commitment to social justice, stating, "He visited various communities, advocating for the socially vulnerable and voicing his support for peace and social change."

"With the belief that 'the field is the place of practice,' he did not shy away from places of suffering, always speaking out for a better world and peace with a youthful heart," Yoon added.

He continued, "He offered warm comfort and solace to those in hardship, and I will long remember the monk's life and his commitment to equality, peace, and compassion for all beings."

President Yoon concluded his message by expressing his wishes for Venerable Myungjin's peaceful rebirth.

Venerable Myungjin passed away on the morning of August 22 while free diving near Haye Port in Seogwipo, Jeju. He was 76 years old and had been a monk for 52 years.

He became a monk at Baengnyeonam Temple in 1969 and received his novice ordination in 1974. He served as a member and vice-chairman of the Central Council of the Jogye Order and was the head monk of Bongeunsa Temple from 2006 to 2010.

Venerable Myungjin was actively involved in the Buddhist democratization movement in the 1980s and participated in the reform of the Jogye Order in 1994. He was known as an 'active practitioner' for his outspoken advocacy on labor rights, human rights, and peace on the Korean Peninsula.