@slowwalker,
Monks played and playing one of the major role in Politics! Coz kings and empires are listening to them! Moreover, without religion support they can't win civilians! I think like you said, that monk was died at that time! Hope he found Nirvana and he gave the world a chance to see crafting technology of Korea at that time period!
The world had / has horrible times and a lot of monks died due to political disorders in your country and in my country too!
Great photography and not only photography, I like the story behind it!

Cheers~