President expresses condolence over death of Ven. Myeongjin

SEOUL, Aug. 22 - President Lee Jae Myung conveyed his condolences on Saturday over the passing of Ven. Myeongjin, the former chief monk of Bongeun Temple in Seoul. The monk, who was 76 years old at the time of his death, succumbed to his injuries after a maritime accident at Jeju island, believed to have occurred during a free diving attempt. Rescued from the waters off Jeju, he was transferred to a hospital but was later declared dead.

President Lee expressed his sorrow with the nation in a Facebook post. He reminisced about a luncheon meeting they had in July last year, during which Ven. Myeongjin had requested him to create a world where workers facing wealth disparities could live equally and pave the way towards the peace between the two Koreas. President Lee stated that he would forever cherish the monk's life and dedication, noting that he lived his life with a heart filled with equality, peace, and compassion for others.

Born in 1950, Ven. Myeongjin embraced Buddhism in 1969 and served as the chief monk of Bongeun Temple in southern Seoul from 2006 to 2010. Prior to his role at the temple, he had been under covert surveillance by the intelligence agency following a public criticism of the government led by then President Lee Myung-bak.