Video Buddhist Rally Against President in South Korea

ANCHOR:

Tens of thousands of grey-robed Buddhist monks flooded central Seoul today

to protest against the president. They say the government's policies favour Christians and hurt

Buddhism.


STORY:

Buddhists criticised Christian President Lee Myung-bak for

naming several members of his Presbyterian church to his transition team before

taking office in February. Buddhist became upset again when government maps

released online in June did not list Buddhist temples.


[Bupchun, Buddhist monk]:

"We're rallying mainly because of the Lee Myung-bak government's

suppression of Buddhism."


About a quarter of South Korea's 49 million people are Buddhist and

another quarter are Christian, one of the highest percentages of Christians in Asia.


One monk, who refused to give his name, said he hoped religion could be free from politics.

[Protesting monk:] "The constitution clearly says that religion and politics are

separate, but this government isn't aware of that."


Last month Buddhists were angered further after police stopped and

searched the car of a top Buddhist leader.


Lee, who has battled massive street protests in recent months in

opposition to his policies, said his government advocates religious

neutrality.