Head of Korean Buddhism Visits Elderly in Cramped Housing, Pledges Improvement

Ahead of Buddha's Birthday, Venerable Jinu, Chief Administrator of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, visited the Dongja-dong 'jjokbang' village in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. He witnessed firsthand the poor living conditions, with cramped single rooms crammed together in narrow alleys lacking even basic amenities like bathrooms or kitchens.

Venerable Jinu met with residents who have lived there for nearly a decade, listening to their hardships. He urged relevant officials to resolve the anxiety residents have faced as government public development plans announced in 2021 have stalled for over five years.

Venerable Jinu shared a celebratory meal of temple cuisine, including lotus leaf rice and burdock root soup, with the residents, and donated 130 fans to help them cool down.