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Monk standoff ends as South Korean police arrest Buddhist temple fugitive Monk standoff ends as South Korean police arrest Buddhist temple fugitive
(34 minutes later)
Hundreds of South Korean police have swarmed outside a Buddhist temple and detained a union official who claimed sanctuary a month ago after anti-government protests that turned violent.Hundreds of South Korean police have swarmed outside a Buddhist temple and detained a union official who claimed sanctuary a month ago after anti-government protests that turned violent.
In a massive show of force, uniformed police officers surrounded the Jogye Temple in downtown Seoul where Han Sang-gyun, president of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, had been holed up for a month. The union said Han agreed to turn himself in.In a massive show of force, uniformed police officers surrounded the Jogye Temple in downtown Seoul where Han Sang-gyun, president of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, had been holed up for a month. The union said Han agreed to turn himself in.
As a police deadline for Han’s surrender neared, monks and scores of young Buddhist followers formed a human barricade at the entrance to the temple to block police access.As a police deadline for Han’s surrender neared, monks and scores of young Buddhist followers formed a human barricade at the entrance to the temple to block police access.
Thousands of people in recent months have taken part in anti-government protests over what they see as worsening labour conditions and attacks on personal and political freedoms by conservative President Park Geun-hye. In recent months thousands of people have taken part in anti-government protests over what they see as worsening labour conditions and attacks on personal and political freedoms by conservative President Park Geun-hye.
Police accuse Han of inciting violence during the protest on 14 November.Police accuse Han of inciting violence during the protest on 14 November.
A police threat to storm the temple and remove Han by force was postponed after intervention by the leader of the Jogye Order – South Korea’s top Buddhist organisation.A police threat to storm the temple and remove Han by force was postponed after intervention by the leader of the Jogye Order – South Korea’s top Buddhist organisation.
The Jogye Order, which has millions of followers, has been mediating with the government ever since Han took refuge in the temple.The Jogye Order, which has millions of followers, has been mediating with the government ever since Han took refuge in the temple.
One monk told AFP that the activist had been on hunger strike for the past 11 days, taking only a little water and some salt.One monk told AFP that the activist had been on hunger strike for the past 11 days, taking only a little water and some salt.
The Jogye Order previously warned that any police action would be seen as an act of religious persecution.The Jogye Order previously warned that any police action would be seen as an act of religious persecution.
“If the police raid the temple it … will be tantamount to a state clampdown on the Jogye Order and on the whole Buddhist movement in South Korea,” it said in a statement.“If the police raid the temple it … will be tantamount to a state clampdown on the Jogye Order and on the whole Buddhist movement in South Korea,” it said in a statement.
South Korean churches and temples have a long history of providing refuge for political activists, most notably in the 1980s when many young pro-democracy activists who were on the run from police sought sanctuary in Catholic churches.South Korean churches and temples have a long history of providing refuge for political activists, most notably in the 1980s when many young pro-democracy activists who were on the run from police sought sanctuary in Catholic churches.
Although there is no law to stop police violating sanctuary, they have traditionally opted not to do so for fear of triggering a public backlash. Although religious sanctuary has no legal force, South Korean police have traditionally observed it for fear of triggering a public backlash.
Police were widely criticised when they did raid the Jogye Temple to bring out seven labour activists in 2002.Police were widely criticised when they did raid the Jogye Temple to bring out seven labour activists in 2002.