Hae Jung-woo appointed Chair of the White House Buddhist Association, with Kang Yu-jung as Vice Chair and spokesperson
The inauguration ceremony for the White House Buddhist Association was held at the main hall of Jogyesa Temple in Seoul, signaling the official launch of the organization.
The ceremony, which took place on the 10th, was attended by over 150 people, including Hae Jung-woo, Chair of the association and Chief of AI Future Planning, Vice Chair Kang Yu-jung, Venerable Jin-woo, President of the Korean Buddhist Jogye Order, Venerable Deok-soo of the Cheontae Order, Jeong Won-joo, President of the Jogye Order’s Central Lay Buddhist Association, Lee Heon-seung, Chair of the National Assembly’s Buddhist Association, and Kang Hoon-sik, White House Chief of Staff.
The inauguration ceremony included the recitation of the Heart Sutra, lamp and flower offerings, followed by Chair Hae Jung-woo’s inaugural address and Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik’s congratulatory remarks. Venerable Jin-woo delivered a Dharma talk, and Vice Chair Kang Yu-jung read an aspirational statement.
In his congratulatory speech, Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik emphasized that Buddhism has been the cornerstone of Korea’s national spirit, uniting the people during crises and defending against foreign invasions. He expressed hope that the White House Buddhist Association would continue this tradition by guiding the administration and playing a crucial role in national unity.
Chair Hae Jung-woo, who is also responsible for the nation’s future technologies, stated that while his role focuses on technological advancement, he believes that technology must ultimately serve humanity – a principle that aligns with Buddhist teachings. He expressed his vision for the association to evolve beyond a social group into a community where practice, sharing, compassion, and action flourish.
Vice Chair Kang Yu-jung read an aspirational statement, pledging to serve each citizen with the reverence given to Buddha and to be a humble public servant attentive to those in need. She committed to implementing policies imbued with Buddhist compassion and wisdom, aiming to be a beacon of hope for the Korean people.
The White House Buddhist Association, established in August 1996 during President Kim Young-sam’s administration, has been instrumental in preserving and promoting Buddhist cultural traditions while serving as a vital communication link between the Buddhist community and the government.
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