Kim Moon-soo: “The Reason for Establishing Free South Korea Was President Syngman Rhee”
Jogye Order: “Extreme Religious Bias, Sparks of National Division and Conflict”
The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism has demanded an apology from Kim Moon-soo, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, for his statement, “The establishment of South Korea is greatly influenced by President Syngman Rhee and Christianity.”
On the 19th, Kim Moon-soo visited the Korean Christian Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul, for a commemorative photo with Kim Jong-hyeok, the representative chair of the Korean Church Council.
The Jogye Order’s special committee dealing with religious bias and distortion of Buddhism issued a statement on the 22nd, expressing deep concern over Kim Moon-soo’s remarks during an education policy agreement ceremony. The statement criticized the candidate for negating and distorting the history of South Korea’s founding, as outlined in the preamble of the constitution, by making remarks biased towards Christianity.
It was reported that during the education policy agreement ceremony with the missionary network of private educational institutions, Kim said, “The most influential factors in the establishment of free South Korea at the edge of the communist continent were President Syngman Rhee and Christianity.”
The committee criticized Kim’s statement as an extreme religious bias, warning it could fuel national division and conflict. They insisted that such remarks are inappropriate for a presidential candidate who should strive for national and public unity.
Furthermore, the committee demanded an official apology for the candidate’s distortion and denial of South Korean history and constitution with his Christian-biased remarks. They urged the People Power Party to take responsibility, declare a clear stance on the candidate’s comments, and promise to uphold the principle of separating religion from politics.