"I Am God" Cult Leader, Who Brainwashed Stepdaughter and Follower into Sexual Abuse, Appeals 9-Year Prison Sentence

The leader of a pseudo-religious group, who was sentenced to nine years in prison in the first trial for sexually assaulting his stepdaughter and female followers after brainwashing them, has appealed the verdict.

According to the legal community today, Defendant A (68), who was detained and indicted on charges of violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes (forcible indecent act by relative), quasi-quasi-rape, and false accusation, submitted an appeal to the court through his attorney on the 22nd.

Defendant A reportedly appealed on the grounds that the sentence from the first trial was too heavy, citing his advanced age and health condition.

The prosecution also submitted an appeal, asking the court to sentence the defendant to 15 years in prison as originally demanded in the first trial.

Defendant A was indicted for committing sexual crimes, such as touching the body parts of female follower B (54) and quasi-rape, between July 2023 and March 2024.

He was also charged with habitually sexually abusing his stepdaughter C (31) between January and April 2024, and falsely accusing his daughter of falsely reporting him for sexual crimes in December of that year.

It was revealed that Defendant A repeatedly committed sexual crimes after brainwashing his followers so they could not refuse his orders by forcing religious beliefs upon them, claiming, "I Am God."

During the trial, he complained of a myocardial infarction and was hospitalized, causing the sentencing date to be postponed once.

On the 16th, the first-instance court sentenced Defendant A to nine years in prison, stating that the defendant mentally dominated followers who sought salvation and enlightenment while engaging in habitual sexual contact, and that the sentence was determined considering that although the defendant is a first-time offender and in poor health, he showed no remorse.

(Photo: Provided by Yonhap News TV, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.