Two Executives Who Destroyed Evidence of Jeong Myeong-seok's Crimes Also Sentenced to Prison in Appeal Trial

Suspect's Whereabouts and Charges
"Without Recording, They Can Portray You as a Madman"

The prosecution has requested prison sentences again in the appellate trial for two male JMS executives who concealed the sexual crimes of JMS President Jeong Myeong-seok and attempted to destroy evidence.

According to the legal community on the 19th, at the appellate trial presided over by the Criminal Division 3 of the Daejeon High Court (Chief Judge Kim Byeong-sik), the prosecution requested 3 years imprisonment for A (60), the Director of JMS External Cooperation Bureau, and 2 years imprisonment for B (36), the Deputy Director, on charges of instructing evidence destruction. A was known within JMS as the Minister of National Defense.

The prosecution had requested the same sentences in the first trial.

Jung Myung-seok [Photo by Asia Economy DB]

The prosecution stated the reason for the request: “Regarding Maple (29), a female believer with Hong Kong nationality, A said, ‘If there is no recording material from Maple, we can brand her as crazy,’ monitored the victims’ movements, reported to Kim Ji-seon, the ‘second-in-command’ of JMS, and disparaged the victims as liars, inciting the believers.”

They added, “So far, 21 victims have filed complaints against Jeong Myeong-seok, but the actual number is likely higher. In recent police investigations, there is evidence of attempts to persuade victims, and considering that much evidence was destroyed due to the defendants’ crimes, the original sentences are too lenient and unjust.”

In response, A’s lawyer said, “These incidents occurred because he lived as a soldier for a long time and found it difficult to refuse,” and appealed for leniency, saying, “We hope the victims’ wounds will heal. Please consider the petitions from family and acquaintances.”

In his final statement, A appealed, “Even if I had ten mouths, I have nothing to say and sincerely apologize to those hurt by my immoral actions. If given another chance, I will live a life serving the country, society, and the people without committing crimes.”

Previously, A and B were accused of confirming that female believer Maple (29) had spoken about sexual assault to those around her in September 2021 and sending an acquaintance to Hong Kong to attempt persuasion.

Also, from March to mid-April last year, they reportedly held video conferences with Jeong Myeong-seok’s personal secretary and other key JMS executives, instructing them to replace mobile phones that could serve as evidence in the sexual assault investigation.

A was indicted on charges of stalking the victim to her accommodation by stationing staff at Incheon International Airport after learning that the victim was appearing in the Netflix documentary “I Am a God.”

The first trial court sentenced A to 1 year and 6 months in prison and ordered his detention, stating, “Although he is a first-time offender and admits to the crime, he was aware of multiple sexual crimes or misconduct related to Jeong Myeong-seok after his release in 2018 but did not make efforts to verify the victims’ claims.”

B was sentenced to 1 year in prison, with 2 years probation and 120 hours of community service.

The court plans to continue sentencing them on the 9th of next month at 1:50 p.m.

JMS followers holding a picket protest ahead of the trial last November
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Jeong Myeong-seok was arrested and indicted on charges of raping or molesting Maple 23 times at the training center in Wolmyeong-dong, Geumsan-gun, Chungnam, from February 2018 to September 2021, and molesting female believers of Australian and Korean nationality (quasi-rape, etc.). His first trial sentencing is scheduled for the 22nd.

Currently, JMS believers are holding rallies near the Yongsan Presidential Office, defending JMS President Jeong Myeong-seok. At the rally site, remarks amounting to secondary victimization against the sexual assault victims are still being made, causing controversy.

They recently continued baseless slanders, claiming that the evidence from the victims against Jeong Myeong-seok, who was sentenced to 30 years in prison by the prosecution for raping female believers, was fabricated.