Pastor Accused of Grooming Sexual Crimes Against Teenage Sisters Sentenced to 6 Years in First Trial

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] A pastor who was prosecuted for committing grooming sexual crimes against teenage sisters was sentenced to imprisonment in the first trial.

According to the legal community on the 4th, the 12th Criminal Division of the Seoul Eastern District Court (Chief Judge Park Sang-gu) sentenced a man in his 50s, Mr. A, who was indicted for violating the Sexual Violence Punishment Act (indecent act by abuse of authority in the course of duty), to six years in prison on the 2nd and ordered his detention in court. In addition, he was ordered to complete 40 hours of sexual violence treatment programs and was banned from employment at child and youth-related institutions and welfare facilities for the disabled for 10 years.

Mr. A is accused of repeatedly sexually molesting the teenage sisters under the pretext of treatment at the pastoral office of a church in Seoul where he served as a pastor from 2013 to 2014.

The victims left the church and, after several years, discovered during a conversation that the other party had also been victimized, and reported it to the investigative authorities.

Mr. A strongly denied the charges at trial. He claimed that even after the incident, the sisters maintained a close relationship with him by having meals and traveling together, and that it was irrational that they revealed the victimization only after a long time.

However, the court ruled Mr. A guilty, stating that the victims’ testimonies were generally consistent and detailed, and that there was no reason for them to give unfavorable statements against Mr. A while risking punishment for perjury or false accusation.

The court pointed out, "The victims testified that they had followed Mr. A like a parent since childhood and were educated to obey the pastor," adding, "Considering that they belonged to the church with relatives, deeply trusted Mr. A as a pastor, and were in an atmosphere where they could not refuse Mr. A’s instructions, it is understandable why they did not report immediately after the crime."

It continued, "Considering Mr. A’s position and the method of the crime, the nature of the offense is very serious," and ruled, "He aggravated the victims’ suffering by sending messages to threaten the victims and their mother, and made no particular efforts to restore the damage."

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