Korean Job Discussion Forums

[itaewonguy]

Despite appeals from the public and supporters, Jiyul has no intention to stop a hunger strike, and instead has decided to stay under the protection of a Buddhist group in Seoul, her supporters said yesterday.
Concerns have been mounting over the fate of the 46-year-old Buddhist nun as she had been out of contact for more than a week after leaving the venue of her fast on Jan. 21.

"We could not move her mind from the fast but we did persuade her to move into a safer place. Jiyul is now with us at Jungto Society headquarters, since she stubbornly refused to go to hospital," said Monk Beopryun, leader of Jungto Society, a Buddhist civic group, at a press conference held at its headquarters in Seocho, southern Seoul, yesterday.

Jiyul, a Buddhist nun from a Naewon Temple in Mount Cheonseong, has been demanding the government suspend tunneling work that she claims will endanger more than 30 rare animals.


Monk Jiyul, on the 96th day of a hunger strike, lies in a room at Jungto Society headquarters, a training center for Buddhists, in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul, yesterday. [The Korea Herald]

However, authorities have refused to review the project, saying it is being implemented through proper procedures including the appraisal of environmental influence.

If constructed, the tunnel will be used for linking the nation's two major cities of Seoul and Busan within two hours by high-speed train.

Jiyul, 46, is a Buddhist nun from a temple in Mount Cheoseong, where the controversial 13-kilometer tunnel is now being constructed.

"A person's life or death is at stake here, we should all join our effort to think of a solution, rather than holding onto the who-is-wrong question," said Monk Beopryun.

"She is a person of superb mental strength, that is how she lasted this far," he said, adding her condition is as critical as one can imagine. Yesterday was Jiyul's 96th day of fasting.

The nun did not show up at the press conference yesterday, staying in a small prayer room.

A group of religious leaders and environmentalists met with reporters instead and called on the government to act on the matter and save Jiyul, until it is too late.

"All she asks is to conduct a proper environmental influence appraisal. Just suspend the use of explosives for three months for the joint appraisal. Does the administration have to stake a person's life over this?" the religious leaders attending the press conference said in a joint statement.

A group of religious leaders including the largest Buddhist Order Jokye, where Jiyul belongs to, has been holding a marathon prayer to save Jiyul. Hundreds of citizens have been holding candlelit vigils in eight cities across the


100 DAYS!! IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE? WHAT ABOUT WATER?
is she drinking , she would have to be right?
damn this woman is amazing! not only in her ability.. but for her cause!
unfortunatly she will die! becuase the government will never stop!
no government would! thats the sad thing! I really wish she just stop..
becuase the government officals only care about money!
and that greed will kill anything in its path!

[red dog]

What a brave woman ... actually, it's appalling that there hasn't been more coverage of this fast. There was a story about it ages ago ... I'm sure it was more than three months, though ... I hope she makes it but I would think she's too far gone now. Even if she starts eating now, she'll have permanent damage, won't she?

[Corporal]

What a stupid woman.

[eamo]

She must be taking some kind of supplement to last 100 days. The record for no food only water is around 60 days.

[dbee]

I'm sure she's an amazing woman and all but the Koreans do have a patchy record as far as hunger strikes are concerned.

Didn't the leader of the opposition party go on 'hunger strike' two years ago, only to be caught in a restaurant the next day. I read in the Hearld that this is the nun's fourth 'fast until death' hunger strike, and that she broke the first three. Also, both parties in the dispute agreed to recognise the final court decision which went in favour of the government.

The 'environmentalists' however decided not to honour their part of the bargain and this nun went on another 'till death' hunger strike.

Maybe I'm being overly cynical, but why would you shut yourself off if your purpose is to starve to death in front of the world to make a point ?

[Daechidong Waygookin]

How stupid. 30 animals? Ill take economic development over some animals any day.

[uberscheisse]

[Daechidong Waygookin]

[rapier]

[diver]

[red dog]

Well said, rapier and diver.

[Daechidong Waygookin]

Biodiversity is all fine and dandy as long as people have food to put on their dinner tables.

[dogbert]

Here is the purpose of the construction:

"If constructed, the tunnel will be used for linking the nation's two major cities of Seoul and Busan within two hours by high-speed train."

Considering that Seoul and Busan are already well-connected by high-speed train, intercity bus, and airplane, how is it that people will starve if this one tunnel is not constructed?

[Daechidong Waygookin]

[diver]

I think that people should remember that it doesn't have to be an all or nothing proposal. I don't think (from what is posted above) that she wishes the work to be cancelled, just suspended so that a study can be done. Perhaps (as has been mentioned) the animals could be captured and moved. This has been done before, so it should be possible here. However, given the stellar reputation that Koreans have for their treatment of animals, I wouldn't hold my breath.

The woman believes in something and is drawing attention to it. She may even (though chances are slim) be successful. It is also in line with her religion, so I think that her motivation is understandable. I am not sure I would go about things the same way she has (mostly because I ma not sure I have it in me), but I have a lot of respect for a woman that would put that much on the line for a personal belief. That is not stupid.