By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee 

Most Ven. Jinwoo, president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, received a courtesy call from Rep. Kim Kyo-heung of the Democratic Party (Incheon Seo-gu Gap), chairman of the National Assembly's Culture, Sports, and Tourism Committee, at the Jogyesa Temple Stay Promotion Center in Seoul on July 25, and requested interest and support for the designation of traditional temples as preservation sites and its popularization project.

Jogye Order Planning Director Ven. Beopoh, Library Director Ven. Ilgam, National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee Senior Expert Committee Member Cheon Woo-jeong (President of the National Assembly Staff Buddhist Believers Association), and Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee Administrative Director Lee Yoo-ju were also present at the visit.

Jinwoo warmly welcomed Chairman Kim and congratulated him on his inauguration as the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee Chairman, to which Chairman Kim responded, “I have been given an important role.”

Jinwoo first emphasized the urgency of ‘realizing the designation of traditional temple preservation sites.’ He pointed out that many traditional temples are currently incorrectly classified as forests, fields, land, and roads, not as religious sites, and this is causing administrative restrictions not only in preserving traditional culture but also in promoting Buddhist services.

“The land records created during the Japanese colonial period are still being applied, so even the original space of the temple is not recognized as religious sites,” he said, urging, “In order to fully preserve the cultural and historical value of traditional temples, the designation must be corrected.”

Jinwoo proposed this to each political party as a policy task for preserving and inheriting traditional cultural heritage during the last presidential election, and during this visit, he asked, “Please actively review it at the level of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee.” In response, Chairman Kim Kyo-heung responded, “I will closely examine the relevant content.”

At the event, there was a friendly discussion about the promotion of ‘popularization of Seon Meditation’ for national sentiment stability and healing of the mind beyond religion and ideology.

Jinwoo said, “We are planning to build a complex meditation center so that not only Buddhists but also ordinary citizens can find peace of mind,” and explained, “We are currently looking for an appropriate location.”

In response, Chairman Kim said, “At the ‘International Seon Meditation Practice Conference for Incheon Citizens’ Happiness’ held in Songdo last June, the sermon of the Most Ven. Jinwoo received a good response from the citizens,” and suggested, “Since Incheon International Airport has approximately 10 million transfer passengers annually, establishing an international meditation center in Incheon could be a very meaningful cultural content.”

Jinwoo strongly agreed with this, saying, “Since interest in meditation is high in Europe and the United States and experience-oriented content is important, a meditation center near Incheon Airport could also be connected to global exchanges,” and requested support from the government and the National Assembly.

Finally, Jinwoo said, “During the recent meeting between President Lee Jae-myung and religious leaders, I suggested the need to establish a ‘mental prevention welfare system,’” and added, “I hope that the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee will also pay attention so that the Seon Meditation program can become the foundation of such a system.”