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SEOUL, Nov. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — A Seoul court has ruled that a Buddhist monk’s daily prayers and care for a temple’s head monk do not constitute “labor” under the law, rejecting his claim for nearly 700 million won (about US$510,000) in back pay and compensation.
The Seoul Northern District Court on Sunday dismissed a lawsuit filed by Monk A against Buddhist corporation B, in which he demanded 6.95 billion won in unpaid wages and promised benefits over 13 years and nine months of service.
According to court documents, Monk A claimed that in 2010, the temple’s former head, Monk C, agreed to pay him a monthly salary of 3 million won and to establish a Buddhist propagation center for him in Seoul upon retirement.
His duties allegedly included performing three daily prayer services, accompanying the ailing Monk C—who suffered from kidney failure—to hospitals, and cleaning and managing temple-owned buildings.
After Monk C’s death, the temple’s board members reportedly asked him to continue managing the property and conducting services until a new head monk was appointed. When the temple failed to honor the earlier promise, he filed suit.
The court, however, found his work did not meet the legal definition of employment.
“The plaintiff’s duties were ambiguous and lacked objective evidence of fixed working hours, assigned locations, or specific instructions,” the ruling said. “Performing Buddhist rituals such as daily prayers cannot be seen as labor governed by an employment contract.”
The court also ruled that escorting Monk C to medical appointments was a personal act of assistance, not part of any contractual employment.
While acknowledging that Monk C may have promised financial rewards, the judges said there was no proof that the temple as a legal entity had entered into or authorized such an agreement.
The case underscores the legal gray area surrounding religious service and labor law in Korea, where disputes occasionally arise over whether monks, priests, or other religious workers qualify as employees under civil or labor statutes.
Jerry M. Kim (jerry_kim@koreabizwire.com)
