Monk nabbed for pot smoking

The prosecution arrested Tuesday a marijuana-smoking chief priest at Baekdam-sa Temple, the first case of a Buddhist priest being taken into custody for smoking pot.

The prosecutor's office in Chunchon charged 38-year-old Kim Seok-Dong, chief priest of the temple in Inje county, Kangwon province with violation of the law on hemp control. He started smoking hemp cigarettes in his room at the temple in May 1997 and recently used marijuana twice on the pretext of keeping himself awake during the practice of Zen meditation, the prosecutors said. According to prosecutors, Kim bought hemp from a Mr. Hwang, 43, also in custody, who raised hemp and sold it throughout the province. The monk reportedly kept it hidden in a room that was exclusively for his use.

Prosecution officials said that immediately before Kim's arrest, some Buddhist leaders and politicians tried to pressure the prosecution to go easy on him. They said the monk's arrest brought considerable pressure and an organized smear campaign aimed at prosecution leaders and the prosecutor in charge. Concerned over the adverse effect the arrest might have on the image of the Buddhist community, Buddhist leaders even promised to keep Kim locked in a meditation cell for ten years.

Ha Jong-Dae orionha@donga.com