Police: "Church Senior Pastor Committed Sexual Crimes Against Dozens of Congregants"... Investigation Launched

Suspected Crime During Over 10 Years of Service at a Gunpo City Church Until 2021

A complaint has been filed alleging that a pastor in his 60s committed sexual crimes against dozens of congregants while serving as the head pastor of a church in Gunpo-si, Gyeonggi Province, prompting the police to launch an investigation.

The Uiwang Police Station in Gyeonggi announced on the 12th that Kim Mo (69) has been booked without detention on charges of quasi-rape and sexual assault and is under investigation. Kim is accused of committing sexual violence against multiple female congregants during his more than ten years as the head pastor of a church in Gunpo-si until 2021.

Last month, the police received complaints from eight women who claimed to have been sexually assaulted by Kim and have begun investigating. Some of the complainants reportedly stated that they were sexually abused by Kim when they were minors.

Additionally, in August 2021, Kim drafted a settlement agreement with the presence of a lawyer to pay settlement money to the sexual crime victims. The agreement reportedly listed 24 victims.

The police have secured this document along with the complaints and are reviewing its contents. It is known that Kim was dismissed from the church after the sexual violence allegations surfaced.

A police official stated, "We are currently coordinating summons schedules by sending Kim a notice to appear," adding, "We plan to consider measures such as securing custody as soon as the charges become clear."