SEOUL, South Korea -- Monks seeking control of South Korea's largest Buddhist order clashed with police Wednesday, throwing rocks and firebombs at the officers who later evicted them from a temple building.
The police used water cannon and tear gas during the 30-minute raid, which ended a 40-day standoff between rival monks at Chogye temple, the spiritual home to 8 million Buddhists in a nation of 44 million people.About 20 police and monks were injured, some seriously, and 100 monks and followers were arrested.
The temple in downtown Seoul has been the scene of frequent violent clashes sparked by leadership disputes since November. In one clash early this month, more than 60 people were injured, many seriously.
Wednesday's police action came after court officials had twice failed to serve an expulsion notice to about 100 dissident monks who had been in control of the building since Nov. 11.
Nearly five hours after moving inside the temple before dawn, hundreds of helmeted riot police, firing tear gas and using water cannons, entered the building.
Dozens of gray-robed monks, some wearing yellow construction helmets, fought back, pouring water from hoses and throwing firebombs, rocks, furniture and other items.
A monk with a shaved head came out on a third-floor balcony, took off his shirt and slashed his belly with a knife to protest the police action. The monk, bleeding, was taken inside.
Another monk, also bare-chested, poured gasoline over his body and threatened to set himself on fire.
Firefighters quickly put out fires apparently set by monks.
Five riot police were injured, two seriously, when they fell from a mechanically driven ladder transporting them to the roof of the building.
Religion experts said the police action was not expected to resolve chronic internal conflicts in the order. For years, Chogye has been plagued by leadership struggles between rival monks.
The trouble began after the order's head, Song Wol-ju, sought a third four-year term. Opponents occupied his office inside the Chogye temple in early November, effectively blocking his re-election.
The rule stating the order's chief monk cannot serve more than two terms was enacted in 1994 in an attempt to prevent the office from wielding too much power.
Song claimed that he was not subject to the rule, because he could not complete his first four-year term in 1980 because of a disagreement with South Korea's then military government.
Song later resigned under pressure, but the renegade monks refused to leave the temple.