JMS Leader Jeong Myung-seok Sentenced to 33 Years in Prison in 1st Trial for Sexual Assault of Female Followers

Jeong Myung-seok, the leader of the Providence religious group (commonly known as JMS), who was indicted on charges of sexually assaulting female followers by exploiting religious brainwashing, has been sentenced to 33 years in prison in the first trial.

The 11th Criminal Division of the Daejeon District Court sentenced Jeong, who was put on trial for quasi-rape and other charges, to 33 years in prison, ordered him to wear an electronic tracking device for 15 years, and imposed a 10-year employment restriction at institutions related to children, adolescents, and people with disabilities.

The court explained the reasoning for the sentencing, stating, "The victims were in a state of psychological helplessness after receiving repeated education to deify Jeong and obey him. Despite past punishments, he repeated his crimes by exploiting the long-established religious control structure."

Jeong was put on trial on charges of sexually assaulting or harassing 16 female followers at a training center in Geumsan-gun, South Chungcheong Province, and other locations from 2018 to 2022.

Jeong was previously sentenced to 17 years in prison by the Supreme Court last year for charges including the sexual assault of other female followers and is currently serving his sentence at the Daejeon Prison. This trial proceeded as a separate case.

Meanwhile, Kim Ji-sun, the second-in-command of JMS who was indicted alongside Jeong for aiding and abetting the crimes, was sentenced to 7 years in prison, while three executives charged with abetment and other offenses were sentenced to prison terms of 3 years and probation, respectively.

(Photo provided by Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.