Buddhist sect to suspend corrupt monks from duty

South Korea’s largest Buddhist sect has set up new rules that would suspend duty of high-ranking monks if they broke any laws, the sect said Wednesday after illegal gambling by its monks sparked a scandal in religious circles.

The Jogye Order said the new rules aim to prevent illegalities by individual monks from tainting the image of the sect.

The sect formerly had no rules to bar senior monks from carrying out their roles in the leadership unless they voluntarily resigned, even after they were convicted of embezzlement or other illegalities.

“Before, a suspect of embezzlement used to work while awaiting sentencing,” a source related to the sect told Yonhap News Agency by phone. “These (new) rules are meaningful as they can prevent further tarnishing of image or property damage for the sect.”

The Jogye Order came under fire after local television showed video footage of eight of its monks playing high-stakes poker at a hotel in April. Two of the monks were later fined for illegal gambling and six senior monks resigned over the scandal. (Yonhap News)