Shaman Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Causing Woman's Death During Exorcism Ritual to Drive Away Ghosts

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Juhee] A shaman who performed an exorcism ritual to drive away ghosts, resulting in the death of a woman in her 20s, has been sentenced to prison.

The 1st Criminal Division of Gunsan Branch Court of Jeonju District Court (Chief Judge Kim Donghyuk) announced on the 2nd that shaman A (44), who was arrested and indicted on charges of injury resulting in death, was sentenced to five years in prison.

The court also sentenced B (65), the biological father of the deceased victim who requested the ritual and assisted the shamans, to three years in prison with a five-year probation.

The court stated, "Mr. A inflicted injuries on the victim through a so-called exorcism ritual that cannot be considered a medical treatment, resulting in death, which is a serious offense. It appears that the victim endured extreme physical and mental suffering until death, and considering the bereaved family's demand for severe punishment and the fact that despite leading the crime, Mr. A tried to shift some responsibility onto the victim's parents, the sentence was determined accordingly."

It added, "Mr. B seems to have committed this crime not out of malice or hostility toward his child but due to mistaken beliefs. Considering that he did not lead the crime and has no prior criminal record, the sentence was determined."

Mr. A was indicted for causing the death of victim C by performing shamanistic rituals from June 15 to 18 last year at an apartment in Iksan, Jeonbuk, and at Geumgang Recreation Area in Seocheon-gun, Chungnam.

During the rituals, Mr. A tied C's hands and feet, burned her clothes, and made her inhale the smoke, among other cruel acts. It was confirmed that C suffered second-degree or higher burns on her face, chest, and arms during this process.

Mr. A is also known to have stripped C of her clothes and applied 'Gyeongmyeonju' all over her body. Gyeongmyeonju is a substance used to write characters on talismans.

After enduring these cruel acts for four days, C ultimately died on June 18 last year.

Following an autopsy requested by the police at the National Forensic Service, it was concluded that the cause of C's death could be burns caused by fire or suffocation due to smoke inhalation.

It was investigated that Mr. B showed his daughter, who had suffered from depression and other mental illnesses for a long time, to Mr. A and requested the ritual.

Mr. A reportedly claimed, "I regret it, but I performed the exorcism ritual at the request of Mr. B and others. There was no cruel treatment."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.