Executives and Secretaries Alike... Former JMS Followers Testify to Jeong Myeong-seok's Sexual Assault

Testimony Claims Sexual Assault by Jeong Myeong-seok
Court Acknowledges Credibility... Possible Increase in Sentence

The trial verdict of Jeong Myeong-seok, the president of the Christian Gospel Mission (JMS), who was sentenced to prison for charges including sexually assaulting and forcibly molesting followers, has been made public. The verdict includes testimonies from several JMS followers.

On the morning of the 3rd, 'YTN' reported that it had obtained the first trial verdict of Jeong Myeong-seok. The verdict spans approximately 157 pages and contains records of 23 sexual crime cases involving Jeong Myeong-seok, as well as testimonies from four former JMS followers who appeared as witnesses.

Christian Gospel Mission (JMS) Jung Myung-seok (left). [Image source=Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office]

The followers consistently testified in court that "I was also sexually assaulted by Jeong Myeong-seok." One witness, who claimed to have worked as a JMS overseas officer, testified that they were sexually assaulted by Jeong Myeong-seok in 2018.

A high-ranking JMS executive was also a victim. Witnesses who were a director-level executive and Jeong Myeong-seok’s secretary testified that they were sexually assaulted in 2019 and 2018, respectively. Additionally, one follower testified about their own molestation experience and mentioned having seen Jeong Myeong-seok molesting a minor in the past. The court recognized all four witnesses’ testimonies as "credible."

The prosecution and police are continuing investigations into 18 individuals who filed complaints claiming they were sexually assaulted by Jeong Myeong-seok. If charges against these additional victims are confirmed, Jeong Myeong-seok’s sentence could be further increased.

On December 22 of last year, the Criminal Division 12 of the Daejeon District Court (Chief Judge Na Sang-hoon) sentenced Jeong Myeong-seok to 23 years in prison on charges including quasi-rape, quasi-similar rape, forcible molestation, and quasi-forcible molestation. The court also ordered him to wear an electronic tracking device (electronic anklet) for 15 years and imposed a 10-year employment ban at institutions related to children, adolescents, and welfare facilities for the disabled.

Jeong Myeong-seok’s first trial sentence exceeded the sentencing guidelines of the Supreme Court Sentencing Commission (4 years to 19 years and 3 months in prison). Earlier, during the closing arguments, the prosecution requested a 30-year prison sentence for Jeong Myeong-seok. The first trial court stated, "He repeatedly committed sexual violence crimes against many followers who were religiously vulnerable," and "He deliberately exploited the mental and physical disability of female followers who obeyed the defendant."

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