A Congregant Habitually Disrupting Worship with Loud Noise... Ultimately Sentenced to Imprisonment

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] A church member who repeatedly disrupted worship services out of dissatisfaction with the church's property disposal process has been sentenced to imprisonment.

The Supreme Court's 3rd Division (Presiding Justice Min Yu-suk) announced on the 20th that it upheld the original ruling sentencing Mr. A, who was tried on charges including disruption of worship, to one year in prison and a fine of 1 million won.

From November 2017 to August 2019, Mr. A shouted loudly during worship, saying phrases such as "Aigo Juyeo" and "Amen," causing disturbances. He was tried on charges of habitual disruption of worship services.

It was investigated that he began disrupting worship after conflicts with other church members over the disposal of church property.

The first trial mostly acknowledged Mr. A's charges and sentenced him to one year in prison and a fine of 1 million won.

The court pointed out that Mr. A had already been sentenced to fines and probation for imprisonment for the same offenses but repeatedly disrupted worship services, making religious events difficult to hold.

The court stated, "Even considering that the historical facts of discord and confrontation among church members may have been the motive for the crime, severe punishment corresponding to the consequences of the crime is necessary."

Mr. A appealed, but the second trial dismissed it. Furthermore, the Supreme Court also rejected Mr. A's appeal.

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