Will the Path to Korean Reunification Open in 2025?

Hello. Venerable Pomnyun Sunim’s 100-Day Dharma Talk has completed its long journey. Today, to commemorate the completion of the 100-Day Dharma Talk, a special Dharma talk was held with Venerable Bulsim Domun, the senior advisor of Jungto Society.

After completing morning practice and meditation, Sunim waited at the Jungto Social and Cultural Center for Venerable Bulsim Domun’s arrival. Venerable Bulsim Domun arrived after 9 AM. As the senior monk stepped out of the car, Sunim presented him with a bouquet of flowers.

“Venerable Master, thank you for making time for us.”

The senior monk had difficulty walking alone due to his limited mobility. Venerable Pomnyun Sunim and Venerable Yusu assisted the senior monk to the founder’s quarters at the Jungto Social and Cultural Center.

After offering three prostrations in greeting, the senior monk joined his palms and recited the Three Refuges in Pali.

“Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā sambuddhassa. Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi. Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi. Saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.”

(I pay homage to and take refuge in the Buddha who has departed from defilements and attained enlightenment by himself. I take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.)

The senior monk expressed his gratitude for being invited to the Dharma talk.

“Starting on February 16th and ending on June 1st, I prayed and gave Dharma talks every day for 105 days. I gave my first 100-Day Dharma Talk in 1999, and after 25 years, I have now completed my second 100-Day Dharma Talk. About 7,000 people registered for the course and listened to the Dharma talks for 100 days, and approximately 30,000 people attended at least one Dharma talk.”

“You’ve worked so hard. Thank you for not abandoning this worthless old monk and who is near death, and for giving me the opportunity to teach the Dharma. I feel so sorry. I devoted my entire life to realizing Master Yongseong’s legacy and didn’t provide even a little support to you. If I had known this would happen, I should have done only half the work on realizing the legacy and used the rest to support you.”

“Not at all. Because you realized the legacy so well, Venerable Master, we were able to inherit and continue it.”

“Thank you for thinking of it that way.”

After reporting to the senior monk about the construction of the Yongseong Memorial Hall at Jangsu Jukrimjeongsa Temple and the restoration project of Cheollyongsa Temple, Sunim quietly left the founder’s quarters to allow the senior monk to rest briefly before the Dharma talk.

At 10:30 AM, the special Dharma talk with Venerable Bulsim Domun began with the recitation of the Three Refuges and the Heart Sutra. About 400 people filled the third-floor Dharma Hall.

When the senior monk entered, the audience rose in unison and welcomed him with loud applause and cheers. The hall was filled with reverence and overwhelming emotion.

First, Venerable Pomnyun Sunim introduced the senior monk to the audience and gave welcoming remarks.

“Today marks the completion of our 100 days of continuous practice, listening to Dharma talks, and studying without missing a single day. To commemorate this day of completion, we have invited our teacher, Venerable Bulsim Domun, to share his concluding words with us. Venerable Bulsim Domun has very deep connections with Master Yongseong, not only through the Dharma but also through worldly ties. Master Yongseong, the 68th Patriarch in the lineage of Shakyamuni Buddha’s Dharma transmission and the 6th Patriarch of Korean Buddhist Revival, was one of the 33 signatories of the March 1st Independence Declaration, representing the Buddhist community. He also worked behind the scenes to enable three different religions to unite their efforts for the March 1st Movement. The person who supported Master Yongseong economically and in many other ways was Venerable Bulsim Domun’s great-grandfather, the lay practitioner Sa-eun Im Dong-su. Im Dong-su and Master Yongseong were friends, Dharma companions, comrades, and teacher-student, with Im Dong-su also serving as a powerful supporter. In this way, Master Yongseong not only led the Buddhist reform movement by translating and distributing scriptures and establishing propagation centers for the intellectualization, popularization, and practical application of Buddhism, but also supported the independence movement and spared no financial support in nurturing many independence activists. Following Dongheon Wangyu, who inherited Master Yongseong’s Dharma, Venerable Bulsim Domun has continued this lineage. As the great-grandson of Sa-eun Im Dong-su, Venerable Bulsim Domun has inherited all of Master Yongseong’s legacy. He has devoted his entire life to realizing Master Yongseong’s ten legacies.

Concluding the 100-Day Dharma Talk, Carrying Forward Master Yongseong’s Legacy Today

The main temples of each Jungto Society branch—such as Adomoraewon, Cheollyongsa, Bonglimsa, and Jangsu Jukrimjeongsa—are all sacred sites that Venerable Bulsim Domun has devoted his entire life to cultivating. Venerable Bulsim Domun also founded Daeseong Seokgasa, the largest temple in Lumbini, Nepal, where the Buddha was born. As we listen to today’s Dharma talk, I hope we can all make a commitment to continue carrying forward Master Yongseong’s legacy. Last year, tensions between North and South Korea escalated to the point where war could have broken out at any moment. On the 160th anniversary of Master Yongseong’s birth, 10,000 Jungto practitioners gathered to pray earnestly for peace on the Korean Peninsula, national unity, and the sustainable development of our nation. Miraculously, at the end of last year, President Trump was elected in the United States, and the declaration of martial law failed in Korea, significantly reducing the risk of war. When a new government takes office in Korea soon, we must begin taking vigorous steps toward peace on the Korean Peninsula once again. Through this process, I have felt an invisible force that humans cannot predict. Many people might wonder why Sunim, who always speaks rationally, is suddenly saying such things. However, within the realm of religion, we also experience such transcendent moments. Venerable Bulsim Domun has pursued many endeavors throughout his life in accordance with Master Yongseong’s legacy. He also taught me when I was a high school student and guided me to where I am today. Please welcome Venerable Bulsim Domun with a big round of applause.”

After the introduction of distinguished guests, a celebratory song performance followed to commemorate the special Dharma talk. First, Ms. Lee Myung-sook sang two songs, “The Sorrowful Daedong River” and “Today is a Young Day,” with her beautiful voice matching the exciting rhythm.

There’s no standard for youth, don’t forget that you’re still in your prime. This very moment is the youngest day of your life ♬ Age, go away, age, go away, what does age matter? Today is the youngest day ♬

When the song ended, Sunim took the microphone again and wished for the senior monk’s longevity and good health.

“The song we just heard seems like it was meant for our senior monk. It sounded to me like it was saying, ‘Don’t ask the senior monk about his age.’ When you hear the senior monk’s Dharma talk today, you’ll think, ‘His voice is so much louder than Venerable Pomnyun Sunim’s – there’s no comparison.’ He’s 91 years old this year, but his voice is as clear and strong as someone in their twenties. Like the song says, I hope our senior monk will enjoy longevity and good health.”

The audience also wished for the senior monk’s longevity with loud applause.

Next, Ms. Yang Mi-ju and Ms. Kim Jin-sook sang Jindo Arirang, a traditional folk song from the southern provinces, with their soulful voices matching the rhythm of the janggu drum.

You’re a Buddha, I’m a Buddha, everyone becomes a Buddha ♬ So this is paradise, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (the Bodhisattva of Compassion), Ari-arirang, Ssuri-ssurirang, Ararari has come (Chorus of the Korean folk song ‘Arirang) ♬ Arirang hmm hmm hmm, Ararari has come

The Dharma hall was filled with excitement from the lively rhythm and powerful melody. Although everyone wanted to hear more songs, they reluctantly moved on to the next part of the program.

On behalf of the assembly, Ms. Baek Ki-soon, Secretary General of Jungto Society, presented a bouquet of flowers to the senior monk who had graced them with his precious presence. The senior monk raised the bouquet high above his head with vigor.

The assembly then requested a Dharma talk from the senior monk with three prostrations. The senior monk began his Dharma talk by reciting the first verse from the Avatamsaka section of the six divisions of the Tripitaka Koreana.

“If anyone wishes to know all the Buddhas of the three times (past, present, and future), they should observe the nature of the Dharma realm and realize that everything is created only by the mind.”

He then recited the first verse from the Agama section of the Hinayana scriptures.

“Do no evil, practice all good, purify your own mind. This is the teaching of all Buddhas.”

Bulsim Domun Sunim continued to read core verses from various important Buddhist scriptures, explaining each one. After reciting the verses, the senior monk shared the circumstances that led to today’s Dharma talk.

“Since this is a commemorative ceremony for Venerable Pomnyun Sunim’s completion of the 100-Day Dharma Talk, naturally Venerable Pomnyun Sunim should be giving the Dharma talk. But he hasn’t abandoned this old, sick, and useless monk and asked me to say a few words, so I’ve come up to this Dharma seat. Venerable Pomnyun Sunim is a genius, a diligent practitioner, and a good friend with integrity. You are truly blessed to have met such an excellent person. I never properly taught Venerable Pomnyun Sunim. When I offered to send him to Dongguk University’s Buddhist Studies Department, he said, ‘I’ve already graduated from Bulsim Domun University, so I don’t need to go to another university,’ and he didn’t go. Yet, ironically, university graduates followed him around carrying his bag to learn from him. How blessed you are to be learning Buddhism from such a Venerable Pomnyun Sunim!”

The audience responded with loud applause.

Finally, the senior monk spoke about the historical basis for how the Provisional Government could be established so quickly in Shanghai in April, right after the March 1st Movement in 1919.

“Domestically, the March 1st Independence Movement occurred on March 1, 1919, and abroad, the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea was established in Shanghai, China. The first president was Dr. Syngman Rhee, the first prime minister was Lee Dong-hwi, and the prime minister’s secretary was the patriot Lee Gang-hun. After returning to Korea, patriot Lee Gang-hun served as the president of the Korea Liberation Association. President Lee Gang-hun of the Liberation Association demonstrated and explained the following:

The Background That Enabled the Establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai

At the end of the Joseon Dynasty, Korea’s wealthiest man, Unbong Park Hyeong-jip, who owned 30,000 seok (a traditional unit for rice) of rice fields, bequeathed 10,000 seok to his only son Park Bong-ju, 10,000 seok to his only daughter Seonjeong-sim Park Jeong, and 10,000 seok to his son-in-law Sa-eun Im Dong-su, a military officer. Patriot Park Jong-am, the grandson of the 30,000- seok wealthy Park Hyeong-jip and the third son of the 10,000- seok Park Bong-ju, was a patriot who fought for independence along with his nephew, patriot Park Sun-hyeong, and patriot Cheolsaeng Im Cheol-ho, the great-grandson of the 30,000- seok Park Hyeong-jip.

They all joined forces to provide all the funds needed for establishing the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai, China. The only daughter of Korea’s wealthiest man at the end of the Joseon Dynasty, the 30,000-seok Park Hyeong-jip, Seonjeong-sim Park Jeong, and her husband Sa-eun Im Dong-su, along with Master Yongseong, raised the funds for establishing the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea. Master Yongseong donated this large sum as operating funds when the Provisional Government was established in Shanghai. This fact became known to the world when President Lee Gang-hun of the Liberation Association returned to Korea after liberation in 1945 and revealed it.

So I urge you all to follow in the footsteps of these ancestors and work hard for peace on the Korean Peninsula and world peace. With that, I’ll conclude today’s Dharma assembly. Are there any questions?”

When there were no questions, the senior monk struck his staff three times and came down from the Dharma seat with the help of his disciples.

After concluding the special Dharma talk with the Four Great Vows, they had lunch.

Jungto Society prepared a meal with great care not only for the senior monk but also for all those who came with him. After sharing conversation over the meal, they took a commemorative photo.

“Sunim, thank you for making time despite your busy schedule.”

Pomnyun Sunim expressed his gratitude to the senior monk and saw him off until he got into his car.
“Thank you for inviting this old and sick monk.”

“Not at all, senior monk. You must stay healthy until we complete the Yongseong Memorial Hall and restore Cheollyong Temple.”

After the senior monk departed, Pomnyun Sunim immediately headed to the 9th floor auditorium of the Peace Foundation.

From 2 PM, he attended the National Tong-il Euibyung Assembly hosted by the Peace Foundation’s Tong-il Euibyung. The Tong-il Euibyung members had visited the Yun Bong-gil Memorial Hall in the morning, arrived at the Peace Foundation, watched videos of Tong-il Euibyung activities together, and were having introductions by regional headquarters.

When Sunim arrived, the Tong-il Euibyung members welcomed him with a bouquet and loud applause.

The dialogue began immediately. Sunim discussed recent domestic and international situations and talked about what perspective the Tong-il Euibyung should have for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

“There have been many twists and turns, but once the presidential election is over, a new order will soon be established in some form. The confusion will continue for a while, but I think it will gradually stabilize. Just last spring or summer, there were serious concerns about whether war might break out, and the possibility was actually quite high. Fortunately, we’ve overcome that crisis, and now the possibility of war has greatly decreased. There are several reasons for this.

Fortunately, the Korean Peninsula Has Overcome the Crisis of War. The Reasons Are:

First, with President Trump’s election, we’ve passed the first crisis. Second, tensions were further reduced when President Yoon Suk-yeol’s attempt at martial law failed. With the president impeached and a new government soon to be elected, the risk of war is expected to decrease even more. Third, ironically, North Korea’s deployment of troops to Russia also seems to have acted as a factor in reducing the possibility of war. As North Korea dispersed its forces by sending troops to Russia, it couldn’t actively respond to South Korea’s movements. Looking at this series of events, things that are difficult to understand through common sense have interlocked as if someone designed them, allowing us to overcome the crisis of war. From a religious perspective, I think we can see this as the merit of our earnest prayers at the June 13th gathering of 10,000 people. (Laughter)”

We have now overcome the crisis of war, but how long must we continue to live in such anxiety? I believe we should take this opportunity to overcome the Korea risk. Moving forward, we need to work toward completely ending the war and improving North Korea-US relations. I believe this is what we must do now.

The Path to Bringing Permanent Peace to the Korean Peninsula

I see the possibility gradually emerging. The US-Soviet Cold War system formed after World War II was partially dismantled with the collapse of the communist bloc. However, in countries where the communist system did not fall, the Cold War structure has persisted. As a result, the North Korean issue could not be easily resolved within the US-centered world order. But with the emergence of President Trump, the United States itself began dismantling the existing international order and creating a flow toward establishing a new order. In this process, I believe complex problems that could not be solved under the existing system are gradually revealing clues to their resolution. Of course, there will be confusion in the process of establishing a new order, but I hope that the Korean Peninsula issue can also be resolved amid this confusion.

From this perspective, the current inter-Korean issues do not seem easy to resolve through inter-Korean consultations alone. During the Moon Jae-in administration in 2018, there was the idea of taking the “Korean Peninsula Driver Theory” to improve North Korea-US relations with South Korea at the center, but we are not in a position to take such a stance now. North Korea has already defined its relationship with South Korea as one between two hostile states. Therefore, I believe that resolution through inter-Korean dialogue is realistically difficult at present. In the past, even when inter-Korean relations deteriorated due to conservative governments’ hostile policies toward North Korea, there was a possibility of recovery when the administration changed. However, even during the Moon Jae-in administration, North Korea concluded that South Korea had no will to resolve the unification issue together. They concluded that even the progressive government did not fully recognize their system. This led to the breakdown of inter-Korean relations, and since the Yoon Suk-yeol administration took office, the relationship has been completely fixed as one between two hostile states. Therefore, I think expecting inter-Korean relations to recover simply with a change of administration reflects the South Korean progressive forces’ lack of understanding of North Korea. To resolve the current inter-Korean relations, normalization of North Korea-US relations must come first. North Korea-Japan relations must also improve. In this process, rather than South Korea stepping forward to mediate directly, it would be more realistic to take a step back and support without interfering. Of course, the reality that we cannot take the initiative in our nation’s issues is regrettable and frustrating. However, now is the time to face reality and solve problems. What matters more than how much we contribute is how to establish a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.

Policy Direction for the New Government to Restore Trust Between the Two Koreas

Therefore, when a new government takes office, rather than rushing to improve inter-Korean relations, I think it would be desirable to focus on supporting rather than hindering the United States and Japan as they improve North Korea-US and North Korea-Japan relations respectively. If North Korea-US relations improve in this way, we could use that momentum as a stepping stone to transform the hostile inter-Korean relationship into a cooperative one. The unification issue needs to be approached from a more long-term perspective. If, as Master Yongseong said, a new Republic of Korea could truly begin in 2025, that would be wonderful.

There are two things we need to focus on right now. First, maintaining peace to prevent war from breaking out. Second, humanitarian aid to reduce the suffering of North Korean people. These two points are the key criteria we should consider when looking at North Korea policy. However, the current North Korea policy is actually increasing rather than reducing the risk of war on the Korean Peninsula, and it’s intensifying rather than alleviating the suffering of North Korean people. That’s why we have no choice but to see this policy as misguided. Whether the policy involves pressure or dialogue, whatever approach is taken, it can only be called a true democratic government’s policy if it moves in the direction of lowering the risk of war on the Korean Peninsula and easing the suffering of North Korean people. If it fails to meet both criteria as it does now, the policy itself is a failure. That’s why I say this: ‘Is the goal of this policy to torment the North Korean people? If so, it’s a great success. But if it’s a policy aimed at reducing the North Korean threat, it’s a failure.’ From this perspective, although President Trump has many problems, it makes me wonder if he might be able to solve the Korean War issue that no one has been able to resolve for the past 75 years. In any case, I think what’s needed now is to more actively open the door to dialogue.”

Next, Sunim received various questions about the direction that the Korean Minutemen for Peace and Unification (KMPU) should take. For two hours, four people asked questions and engaged in dialogue with Sunim. One of them asked about the prospect that a breakthrough for Korean unification could occur in 2025, and inquired about Sunim’s outlook on this matter.

**Could There Be a Breakthrough for Korean Unification in 2025?
**
“We are currently in the midst of global turbulence, including Trump’s re-election, the Israel-Hamas conflict, the Russia-Ukraine war, China’s economic slowdown, and instability within the North Korean regime. Amid these circumstances, there are talks that a breakthrough for Korean unification or visible results could be achieved within 2025. I’m curious about the basis for this and what alternatives you think are possible.”

“This is the first I’m hearing of this. I think that, let alone unification, even dialogue will be difficult to open within this year. I’m not sure if even unofficial contact would be possible. Since North Korea has defined South Korea as a hostile state, they have taken the position that they absolutely cannot accept South Korean people, South Korean goods, or South Korean money. So North Korea has eliminated all departments related to inter-Korean relations. The official contact channel is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Recently, there were residents who drifted to South Korea while fishing. Even when trying to return them, we can’t contact North Korea. Even when we tell them to take them back, there’s no response from North Korea. Of course, I think North Korea’s hostile policy might soften a bit if the South Korean government changes. Right now they call South Korea a puppet regime, but they might express the term ‘puppet’ in a somewhat softer way. However, basically all contact with North Korea has been cut off. In South Korea, people say things like ‘we invested in Gaeseong,’ ‘we invested in Mt. Guemgang,’ ‘we built a hospital in Pyeongyang,’ thinking they have some rights to assets in North Korea, but that’s not the case. North Korea has settled all rights issues. Because of this relationship, it’s difficult to easily restore relations. North Korea has already declared South Korea a hostile state to its people and has created all systems in that direction, so it’s not easy to restore relations as before. So first, resolving the relationship between North Korea and the United States is the top priority. And relations with Japan also need to be resolved. I think it would be good to work on inter-Korean relations after North Korea becomes somewhat more stable through these efforts.

When North Korea needs economic assistance, which country can help? The United States is not in a position to help North Korea right now. As you can see from America’s current tariff policies, the U.S. is not in a position to provide economic support to North Korea. Therefore, the U.S. must first resolve its relationship with North Korea, and economic support should come from Japan and South Korea. However, North Korea faces some difficulties. If money comes from South Korea, there’s a risk that public sentiment might shift toward the South. If money comes from China, North Korea would have to bow somewhat to China. Russia and the United States are not currently in a position to provide economic support. The country that is most financially capable and safe is Japan. However, North Korea doesn’t particularly like Japan. In this regard, I don’t think inter-Korean relations will be easily resolved.

Therefore, even when a new government takes office, it should not rush to ease tensions in inter-Korean relations. The most important thing right now is national unity within South Korea. If we try to resolve inter-Korean relations too hastily, there will be resistance from conservative forces in South Korea. To consistently pursue policies for peace on the Korean Peninsula even after a change in government, we must advance policies based on consensus between progressives and conservatives. Rather than handling things hastily, we should first attempt effective policies that can bring about national unity within South Korea. We should first support the resolution of North Korea-U.S. and North Korea-Japan relations, and then gradually and smoothly resolve inter-Korean issues around next year. We must always reflect these changed circumstances. If we keep insisting on old promises, it will only lead to conflict. We need to resolve inter-Korean relations while discussing how to reset our direction based on these changed circumstances. Most unification movement organizations think that inter-Korean relations will become active when progressive forces take power, but in my view, the possibility of that happening is very low.”

“Thank you. I understand well.”

Questions continued to follow. The dialogue concluded as it approached 4 PM.

Everyone recited the pledge of the Korean Minutemen for Peace and Unification together and took a commemorative photo with Sunim.

Without a moment’s rest, Sunim immediately headed to The Peace Foundation conference room. From 4:10 PM, he held a meeting on the topic of “Youth Dharma Propagation” with leaders from the Special Youth Division and the Jungto Society Social Activities Committee.

This was the third meeting since Sunim proposed that Jungto Society hold a youth festival in the second half of this year to give courage and hope to young people. Today, many ideas emerged and various proposals were made. After listening to the young people’s ideas, Sunim gave his closing remarks.

“What I’d like to propose is holding a festival that can boost the morale of young people in Korean society. Let’s create an event that can give courage and hope to young people who are feeling discouraged. Let’s examine more realistically how feasible this is, and then meet again.”

After setting the date for the next meeting, the meeting concluded at 5:30 PM.

Immediately after the meeting, Jung Sung-heon, Chairman of the DMZ Life and Peace Park, visited and had a conversation with Sunim.

As the sun set, Sunim worked on administrative tasks indoors and concluded his day’s activities.

Tomorrow morning, the opening ceremony for the 9th 100-Day Prayer of the 1st 1000-Day Practice during the 2nd 10,000-Day Practice will be held in the underground auditorium of the Jungto Social and Cultural Center, followed by the closing ceremony for the 100-Day Dharma Talk in the afternoon.