President expresses condolence over death of Ven. Myeongjin

President Lee Jae Myung conveyed his condolences on Saturday in the wake of the passing of Ven. Myeongjin, the former head monk of Bongeun Temple in Seoul. The venerable monk passed away at the age of 76 following a maritime incident presumed to have occurred during a free diving practice. Rescued from the waters off the southern island of Jeju, he was subsequently transferred to a hospital, but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

President Lee expressed his grief for the Korean Buddhist community through a post on his Facebook page. He reminisced about a luncheon meeting he held with the late monk in July of the previous year, during which Ven. Myeongjin had expressed his desire for a world where workers facing income inequality could lead fulfilling lives, and for a pathway towards peace between the two Koreas.

President Lee vowed to cherish the legacy of Ven. Myeongjin, who led his life with principles of equality, peace, and compassion for others. Born in 1950, Ven. Myeongjin embraced Buddhism in 1969 and held the esteemed position of chief monk at Bongeun Temple in southern Seoul from 2006 to 2010. Prior to his tenure at Bongeun Temple, he had been subjected to covert monitoring by governmental authorities.