Kim Ji-seon (alias Jeong Joeun, 44, female), the 'second-in-command' of the Christian Gospel Mission (JMS) led by Jeong Myeong-seok, who was an accomplice in the sexual assault crimes against female followers, was sentenced to seven years in prison. Other accomplices who assisted Jeong Myeong-seok in his crimes also received heavy sentences.
The Criminal Division 12 of Daejeon District Court (Chief Judge Na Sang-hoon) sentenced Kim, who was detained and indicted on charges of quasi-rape, to seven years in prison on the 20th, and ordered her to complete 80 hours of sexual violence treatment programs. She was also banned from working in child and youth-related institutions and welfare facilities for the disabled for 10 years.
Kim Mo (51, female), the director of civil affairs, who was indicted on charges of aiding quasi-rape, was sentenced to three years in prison, ordered to complete 80 hours of sexual violence treatment programs, and banned from employment in child and youth-related institutions and welfare facilities for the disabled for five years.
Two other JMS executives were sentenced to two years and six months, and one year and six months in prison respectively, and were taken into custody in court. Two other JMS executives received six months in prison with one year of probation, and one year and six months in prison with three years of probation, respectively.
In the sentencing hearing held on the 26th of last month, the prosecution demanded 15 years in prison for Kim, 10 years for Director Kim, and three to ten years for the other four female executives.
The court stated the sentencing rationale, saying, "Although this is a first offense with no prior criminal record, the crimes occurred during Jeong Myeong-seok's recidivism period," and "The nature of the crimes is serious as they directly participated in or aided the reoffending."
It further noted, "The foreign victims entered the mission at a young age and are emotionally vulnerable, making them susceptible to the crimes."
Kim, known as Jeong Myeong-seok's 'successor,' was detained and indicted on charges of participating in Jeong Myeong-seok's quasi-rape crimes by handing pajamas to a Hong Kong national female follower A (29) in March-April 2018 and instructing her to 'sleep here while guarding the Lord.'
Director Kim is accused of bringing A to the Wolmyeongdong training center after A complained of being sexually assaulted by Jeong Myeong-seok, saying instead that "this is God's dramatic love," and on September 14, 2021, taking her to Jeong Myeong-seok and waiting nearby while Jeong committed the crime.
The other four JMS executives were prosecuted for aiding the crimes by interpreting during the sexual offenses or guarding and monitoring outside the room (charges of forced molestation, aiding quasi-rape, and aiding rape).
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