Jogye Temple in trouble due to Han with no intention to end his refuge

Jogye Temple is beset by worry as Han Sang-gyun, the head of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), is not leaving the sanctuary even after the date (Dec. 6) when temple’s laymen association demanded him to leave. After the second mass rally ended on Saturday, temple leadership had a meeting with Han to discuss the matter until the dawn of Sunday to no avail. Having promised that he would stay at the temple only until Sunday on the pretext of peaceful rally, Han has not yet clearly spoken about his next move. “Don’t you think it’s time to make an appearance? The promise of peaceful rally was honored and you gave your words of leaving the temple no later than Dec. 6," Venerable Dobeop of the Jogye order reportedly told Han. But Han is known to have repeated his concerns over the retrogressive revision of the labor law.

“If Han doesn’t honor his promise, taking further refuge in the temple, Jogye Temple would be in trouble as its believers have endured inconvenience and suffering caused by him," said an official from the temple. "We would make our utmost effort so that he could keep his promise.”

"As we have said that we would be patient until Sunday, we would wait and see by then," said Park Joon, vice chairman of the laymen association. “If he doesn’t make any move, we could come up with additional response.” Prior to that, the laymen association held an emergency meeting and announced its intention to wait until Sunday.

Having not revealed when he would end his refuge in the temple, Han wrote in the Facebook message on Saturday that encouraging the participation in the mass rally on Dec. 16, which expressed his intention to continue his struggle. “Han keeps talking with the laymen association but hasn’t made a final decision,” the KCTU said regarding Han’s next move.

The police have tightened guard against the temple by stationing more than 700 officers to prepare for possible actions by Han’s supporters or opposition forces. On Sunday, dozens of people who were presumed to be KCTU members tried to enter the temple and stopped by the police, causing continuous clashes.

hyuk@donga.com