Leader of Quasi-Religious Group Who Sexually Assaulted Stepdaughter and Followers After Brainwashing Appealing 9-Year Prison Sentence

The leader of a quasi-religious group who was sentenced to 9 years in prison in the first trial for committing sexual crimes by brainwashing his stepdaughter and female followers has appealed the ruling.

According to the legal community today (July 24), Defendant A (68), who was detained and indicted on charges including violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes (forcible indecent act by relative), quasi-rape, and false accusation, submitted an appeal to the court through legal counsel on the 22nd.

Defendant A reportedly filed the appeal on the grounds that the sentence from the first trial was too heavy, citing advanced age and poor health.

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 on charges of touching the body parts of and committing quasi-rape against a female follower, B (54), between July 2023 and March 2024.

He also faced charges of habitually committing indecent acts against his stepdaughter, C (31), between January and April 2024, and falsely accusing her in December of that year of making a false report against him for a sex crime.

It was revealed that Defendant A repeatedly committed sexual crimes after brainwashing the followers so that they could not refuse his instructions 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.

When sentencing Defendant A to 9 years in prison on the 16th, the first-instance court stated that the defendant mentally dominated followers seeking salvation and enlightenment while engaging in constant sexual contact. The court determined the sentence by taking into account that the defendant is a first-time offender and in poor health, but shows no remorse.

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