Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday expressed his condolence over the death of Ven. Myeongjin, former chief monk of Bongeun Temple in Seoul. Ven. Myeongjin died Saturday at the age of 76, following a maritime accident that is presumed to have occurred while he was practicing free diving. He was found floating in waters off the southern resort island of Jeju, subsequently rescued, and moved to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee shared his sorrow with the nation over the loss of Ven. Myeongjin, whom he described as a great leader in Korean Buddhism. On his Facebook page, Lee recounted a luncheon meeting with the late monk from July of the previous year, during which Ven. Myeongjin urged the president to work towards a society where workers suffering from the wealth gap could live equally and to pave a path towards peace between the two Koreas.
President Lee expressed his commitment to remembering Ven. Myeongjin's life and dedication, highlighting his heart for equality, peace, and compassion for people. Born in 1950, Ven. Myeongjin became a Buddhist monk in 1969 and served as the chief monk of Bongeun Temple in southern Seoul from 2006 to 2010. He was known for being under illegal surveillance by the spy agency after he publicly criticized the government of then-President Lee Myung-bak.