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| Venerable Yeoryang Jeonghye, the abbot of the 'Buddha's House' under the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, is holding a one-person protest in front of the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the morning of 19th August, holding a picket sign urging the release and leniency of ManHee Lee, the chairman of Shincheonji Church of Jesus. |
On the morning of 19th August, in front of the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul, a Buddhist monk stood alone on the sidewalk as streams of commuters passed by. He was Venerable Yeoryang Jeonghye, head monk of Buddha’s House, an incorporated association affiliated with the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. In his hands, he held a picket sign calling for the release and leniency of ManHee Lee, the 95-year-old chairman of Shincheonji Church of Jesus.
Asked why he had personally come to the courthouse to speak out on behalf of another religious leader, Venerable Yeoryang Jeonghye cited his “conscience as a religious leader.”
According to reports, fellow Buddhists at the temple had expressed concern and tried to dissuade him until the night before the protest. Some questioned why he would become involved in the affairs of another religion and endure the resulting difficulties. Others suggested that he simply remain at the temple. The monk, however, reportedly remained firm, saying that even if no one came to the temple, he believed it was more important to act according to his conscience than to worry about public opinion.
That decision did not come without anxiety. Venerable Yeoryang Jeonghye acknowledged that he was so nervous the night before that he could barely sleep. Nevertheless, he felt that someone needed to take the first step so that others might also find the courage to speak out. With that conviction, he decided to become the first person to hold a solo protest in support of Chairman Lee.
Once he arrived at the courthouse, however, his nervousness reportedly subsided. Watching the cars carrying people to work, he even found himself wondering which vehicle might belong to the judge.
Despite the scorching heat, he continued to hold his sign. He explained that he was there because he believed the principle of presumption of innocence should be respected and that no one should face unfair treatment because of their religious affiliation.
Venerable Yeoryang Jeonghye reiterated that allegations should be thoroughly investigated, but argued that religious leaders should not be subjected to harsher standards simply because of their position.
Regarding the 95-year-old Chairman Lee in particular, the monk called for his right to a full defence to be protected while he remains out of custody. He argued that the necessity of detention, as well as concerns about flight or destruction of evidence, should be examined carefully.
“Protecting the human rights of one person is protecting the human rights of us all,” he said, emphasising that the rule of law and respect for human dignity must be upheld together.
Source: vo.la/0nLvkEz
