Mrs. Kim Geon-hee attends ceremony for the return of relics,
Mrs. Kim Geon-hee. Photo=Yonhap News,
, “President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife attended the ‘Huam Temple Relic Return Commemoration Cultural Festival and offering ceremony for the Three Dharma-kaya Buddhas’ held at Huam Temple site in Yangju, Gyeonggi-do on the 19th. It was 169 days since Mrs. Kim Geon-hee appeared in public in Korea after visiting the memorial altar for the late Zen Master Jaseung at Jogyesa Temple on December 2 last year.”,
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, ‘This event commemorates the return of relics of Geom Seonsa, Janggwang Bul, Sakyamuni Bul, Nayoung Seonsa, Jigong Seonsa (3 monks and 2 bodhisattvas) from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts after 100 years.’,
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President Yoon Suk-yeol and Mrs. Kim Geon-hee are paying tribute at the ‘Huam Temple Relic Return Commemoration Cultural Festival and offering ceremony for the Three Dharma-kaya Buddhas’ held at Huam Temple site in Yangju, Gyeonggi-do on the 19th. Photo=Yonhap News,
, ‘President Yoon expressed joy, saying, “The returned relics symbolize the authenticity and lineage of Korean Buddhism, a precious national heritage that has finally returned to its homeland after staying abroad for nearly 100 years.”‘,
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, ‘He also emphasized, “Although it was a long-standing difficult issue, through closer relations between Korea and the United States, we were able to find clues to solve the problem. I will continue to strive with a sincere heart for the people in governing the country,” according to the presidential office.’,
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, ‘The returned relics were originally enshrined in the Geong Seonsa Pagoda at Huam Temple in Yangju and were illegally taken out during the Japanese colonial period, which the Boston Museum of Fine Arts acquired. In 2009, the North and South Korean Buddhist communities adopted a joint agreement for the return of relics and engaged in negotiations with the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, but discussions were suspended after 2013.’,
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, ‘During President Yoon’s state visit to the United States in April last year, Mrs. Kim Geon-hee visited the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and requested the resumption of discussions for relic return after 10 years. As a result, discussions were resumed and the relics were returned to Jogyesa Temple last month.’,
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, ‘Ven. Jinwoo, the head monk of Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, expressed gratitude to President Yoon during his visit to Jogyesa Temple on Buddha’s Birthday, saying, “Mrs. Kim Geon-hee played a significant role in the return of relics by actively requesting discussions with the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.”‘,
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, ‘It was reported that the Buddhist community earnestly requested Mrs. Kim Geon-hee’s attendance at the event. An official from the presidential office said, “The Jogye Order side expressed a strong desire for Mrs. Kim to attend, as her assistance was crucial in the return of the relics.” The event was attended by over 4,000 people, including leaders of the Jogye Order and members of the Buddhist community.’,
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