Venerable Jeongnyeom withdraws from Jogye Order chief race, leaving two-way contest

Venerable Jeongnyeom, former abbot of Woljeongsa Temple — the head temple of the Jogye Order's Fourth District — withdrew his candidacy for the order's chief administrator post Monday, 10 days before the election. The move sets up a two-way race between Venerable Jinwoo and Venerable Gyeongu for the 38th chief administrator of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism on Sept. 3.

In a statement released Monday, Venerable Jeongnyeom said he was stepping down from the race. "The encouragement and support sent by the fourfold community were an invaluable admonition and source of hope for this unworthy monk," he said. "I bow my head in deep repentance before all members of the order for my shortcomings in being unable to honor that trust to the end."

He cited what he described as a breakdown and distortion of the order's institutional systems as a key reason for his decision. "What this election made me acutely aware of was the paralysis and distortion of the order's systems," he said. "Even on matters made plainly clear by objective facts and evidence regarding candidate eligibility, the National Election Commission chose not to apply those as standards of judgment and instead granted a one-sided absolution — which paradoxically confirms just how urgently monastic reform is needed." He added that drawn-out discussions over candidate consolidation risked diluting the focus on reform. "That is the background to this difficult decision to withdraw," he said.

Venerable Jeongnyeom also announced his support for Venerable Gyeongu, listed as Candidate No. 1 on the ballot. "I express my support for Venerable Gyeongu, who ran alongside me," he said. "I pray that he will achieve a change in leadership, reform this outdated institutional system, and forge a new path for Buddhism in the age of AI."

He pledged to continue pursuing his goals even after stepping aside. "Though I have chosen the path of withdrawal, I will never set down the vow I carried when I left my monastery — to restore a pure monastic community and revitalize Korean Buddhism," he said. "I will press on without rest in the effort to build hope for Korean Buddhism."

With Venerable Jeongnyeom's withdrawal, the race now comes down to a contest between Venerable Jinwoo, the incumbent chief administrator, and Venerable Gyeongu, former abbot of Seonunsa Temple — the head temple of the 24th District. If the election proceeds with multiple candidates, it would be the first primary election since 2017, nine years ago.

Venerable Jinwoo entered monastic life under Venerable Baegun as his teacher, received his novice precepts in 1978, and served as abbot of Yongheungsa Temple and Baegyangsa Temple — the head temple of the 18th District. He held posts including head of the General Affairs Department, director of the Planning Office, and director of the Education Institute of the Jogye Order before taking office as the 37th chief administrator on Sept. 28, 2022.

Venerable Gyeongu entered monastic life under Venerable Jisung as his teacher and received his novice precepts in 1985. He served as abbot of Cheongyeonsa and Janggyeongsa temples, head of the secretariat at the General Affairs Office, and as a member of the 15th and 16th Central Council. He had served as abbot of Seonunsa Temple since 2015 before stepping down ahead of his candidacy.

The chief administrator of the Jogye Order — Korea's largest Buddhist order — oversees its administrative and external affairs and serves a four-year term, in effect making the position the representative of Korean Buddhism.

The election proceeds through an indirect voting system. An electoral college of 321 members — comprising 81 Central Council members, the order's legislative body, and 240 representatives elected 10 from each of the 24 district head temples nationwide — will cast their ballots from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sept. 3 at the Korean Buddhism History and Culture Memorial Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul.