Guseung Returns as Head Monk of Seonunsa; Six Jogye Order Division Heads Reappointed

Guseung Reappointed as Head Monk of Seonunsa

“I Will Strive for Stability and Unity within the Order”

Six Deputy and Division Heads Retained

Additional Appointments Follow for the 38th Administration

Jinwoo, the Chief Executive of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, appointed Guseung as the head monk of Seonunsa Temple, the main temple of the 24th district, on October 7, 2026. Guseung, who had stepped down from the position last month to run in the Chief Executive election, will once again lead Seonunsa.

Jinwoo, the Chief Administrator of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism (left), is presenting the appointment certificate to Guseung, who was appointed as the head monk of Seonunsa Temple, the main temple of the 24th district, on the 7th. Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism

On the morning of October 7, 2026, Jinwoo presented the certificate of appointment to Guseung at the Korean Buddhist History and Culture Memorial Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Jinwoo urged Guseung to leverage his various experiences to further the development of the order and the district, and to devote efforts toward the protection of the temple and harmony within the monastic community.

Guseung stated, "I will dedicate my efforts to supporting the stability and unity of the order, and do my best to lead the district in a stable manner."

Guseung was ordained in 1985 under his teacher Taheo Jiseong. He previously served as the head monk of Manilsa, Cheongyeonsa, and Janggyeongsa, and as the Director of the Secretariat of the Jogye Order, as well as a member of the 15th and 16th Central Executive Parish Councils.

During the appointment ceremony, Guseung also delivered a donation of KRW 30 million to support victims of the recent major flood in Nepal.

Upon beginning his second term as the 38th Chief Executive last month, Jinwoo also reappointed several deputy and division heads from the previous (37th) administration.

The reappointed monks are Jeongmun as Head of the General Affairs Division, Myojang as Head of the Planning Office, Yujeong as Education Director, Yeohak as Finance Director, Seongwon as Culture Director, and Jingyeong as Social Affairs Director. Their appointments were retroactively applied as of September 28, 2026.

Jeongmun previously served as Chairperson of the 17th Central Executive Parish Council, Myojang was CEO of the Jogye Order Social Welfare Foundation and a member of the 17th and 18th Councils. Seongwon was Secretary-General of the Future Headquarters and a member of the 18th Council, while Jingyeong previously served as Director of the Secretariat of the Jogye Order.

Jinwoo is expected to make additional major personnel appointments in the near future.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.