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SEOUL – Thousands of South Korean Buddhists rally Today (Wednesday) in central Seoul in protest at pro-Christian bias by the government of President Lee Myung-Bak. Police estimated that 38,000 people, including 4,000 monks, gathered at Seoul’s City Hall.
The government has taken steps to placate the Buddhists, with culture minister Yu In-Chon expressing regret Tuesday at the rare religious dispute. Yu said the government would introduce new regulations to ban religious discrimination by government officials. President Lee and Prime Minister Han Seung soo, both Christians, has urged his officials not to make controversial remarks on matters of faith.
But Buddhists dismissed the peacemaking gesture and vowed to push ahead with the rally. They insist Lee himself apologize.
President Lee, an elder at the Somang church, included members of the church network when appointing his first cabinet in February. The dispute, rare in a country which guarantees freedom of religion, was indirectly exacerbated by months of street rallies against US beef imports. Tensions grew late last month after police stopped a car carrying Jigwan, the order’s respected head monk, outside the temple and searched the boot.
Police chief Eo Cheong-Soo apologized and disciplined two senior officers. But Buddhists accused police of treating the head monk like a criminal and called for Eo’s resignation. Buddhists were also angered at an online map published by two ministries showing locations of Seoul’s Christian churches but not major Buddhist temples.
Buddhism is the oldest major religion in Korea, though Christianity has grown dramatically, especially during the 20th century. According to government figures, Buddhists made up 22.8 per cent of the population in 2005, while Christians accounted for 29.2 per cent. Official data shows South Korea has about 10 million Buddhists and 13.7 million Christians.
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