Providence (religious Movement)
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Providence (officially Christian Gospel Mission; ), better known as JMS (acronym of Jesus Morning Star), is a Christian
new religious movement A new religious movement (NRM), also known as a new religion, is a religious or Spirituality, spiritual group that has modern origins and is peripheral to its society's dominant religious culture. NRMs can be novel in origin, or they can be part ...
founded by Jung Myung-seok in 1980 and headquartered in Wol Myeong-dong, South Korea. Providence has been widely referred to by international media as a
cult Cults are social groups which have unusual, and often extreme, religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs and rituals. Extreme devotion to a particular person, object, or goal is another characteristic often ascribed to cults. The term ...
. In April 2009, the leader Jung Myung-seok (also transliterated as Jeong Myeong-seok) was convicted of rape by the
Supreme Court of Korea The Supreme Court of Korea () is the highest ordinary court in the judicial branch of South Korea, seated in Seocho, Seoul. Established under Chapter 5 of the Constitution of South Korea, the court has ultimate and comprehensive jurisdictio ...
and was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. Jung was released on 18 February 2018. Following Jung's release from prison, the Korea Post reported that the Providence faith movement had reached more than 70 countries. Providence has also been called Setsuri (), International Christian Association (ICA; ), the Morning Star Church (MS Church), the Bright Moon Church, and Ae-chun Church ().


History

In the 1970s, Jung was a member of the
Unification Church The Unification Church () is a new religious movement, whose members are called Unificationists or sometimes informally Moonies. It was founded in 1954 by Sun Myung Moon in Seoul, South Korea, as the Holy Spirit Association for the Unificatio ...
(UC), whose teaching his resembles.: "On y apprend que JMS est un ancien adepte de la 'secte Moon'". In 1980, Jung founded the Ae-chun Church (), which was affiliated with the
Methodist Church Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a Protestant Christianity, Christian Christian tradition, tradition whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's brother ...
. In 1983, Jung Myung-seok forged a diploma from the Korea Bible Correspondence School and joined the Jesus Korea Methodist Church, changing its name to Jesus Korea Methodist Aechun Church. In the same year, he launched the World Youth University MS Union and called himself JESUS MORNING STAR (JMS). The name was changed to the International Christian Association () in the mid-1980s. A rift occurred in the group in 1986, when the vice president of Providence attempted to act on the sex scandals surrounding the group, but he was shut out of the organizational system and Jung consolidated all power around himself. In October 1999 the organization changed its name to Christian Gospel Mission ().


Theology

Jung Myung Seok set up Providence in 1980 as a breakaway sect from the UC. Providence's core teaching are found in a series of unpublished
precept A precept (from the , to teach) is a wikt:commandment, commandment, instruction, or order intended as an authority, authoritative rule of action. Religious law In religion, precepts are usually commands respecting morality, moral conduct. Chris ...
s called the ''30 Lessons'', which bear considerable resemblance to the ''" Divine Principle"'' of the Unification movement, which are partly inspired by teachings of , including his book ''The Fundamental Principles of Christianity'' (基督教根本原理 drafted March 2, 1946, published March 2, 1958). According to Tahk Myeong-hwan, nine of the 30 lessons exhibit a "considerable level of resemblance" with the ''Divine Principle''. The lessons are based on a
numerological Numerology (known before the 20th century as arithmancy) is the belief in an occult, divine or mystical relationship between a number and one or more coinciding events. It is also the study of the numerical value, via an alphanumeric system, ...
interpretation which identifies the sect's leader as the Second Coming of Christ. One lesson implies that those who do not "meet" him will not go to Heaven; another that any who betray him are committing a grave crime. During the instruction of the advanced level of the ''30 Lessons'', it is taught that Jung is the
Messiah In Abrahamic religions, a messiah or messias (; , ; , ; ) is a saviour or liberator of a group of people. The concepts of '' mashiach'', messianism, and of a Messianic Age originated in Judaism, and in the Hebrew Bible, in which a ''mashiach ...
, proven through the numerological interpretation of prophesied dates and times in the book of Daniel, although more recent statements from a representative seems to contradict this claim. Like the UC, Providence preaches the advent of the "Complete Testament Era" (). Providence furthermore allegorize the relationship between God and man to that between the groom and bride, or two lovers. While both UC and Providence teach that
original sin Original sin () in Christian theology refers to the condition of sinfulness that all humans share, which is inherited from Adam and Eve due to the Fall of man, Fall, involving the loss of original righteousness and the distortion of the Image ...
was caused by Eve's intercourse with the fallen angel, who turned into
Satan Satan, also known as the Devil, is a devilish entity in Abrahamic religions who seduces humans into sin (or falsehood). In Judaism, Satan is seen as an agent subservient to God, typically regarded as a metaphor for the '' yetzer hara'', or ' ...
. Providence teaches this can be redeemed by having sex with Jung Myung-seok. Jung was found to have forced female followers to have sex with him "as a religious behaviour meant to save their souls" in the Korean Court of Law. Former members have stated or testified that young and attractive women were presented to Jung as "sexual gifts", with whom he coercively engaged in sexual acts, which was explained to them as a purification rite. Although some of the teachings are a carefully guarded secret within the sect, scholars such as who analyzed and summarized the sect's beliefs relied on documented testimonies as well as interviews with ex-members that included victims. He obtained notes from ex-members which were used in the "bible study", as instructions in the ''30 lessons'' were conventionally called within the sect.


Recruitment

Initiates into the sect are initially approached by being invited into an "activity circle", i.e., sports or music clubs in school. The inductees learn only later when taken to "bible study" that religion constitutes part of the "circle" activity. In this manner, Providence forms non-religious organisations for the purpose of attracting young people without initially revealing the religious nature of the group or their real motives, a practice ruled "fraudulent" under law by the Japanese Supreme Court.


Outside of Korea

Christian Gospel Mission is proselytizing under different names in different regions. ''Providence'' or ''Providence Church'' in Europe and the US, ''Setsuri'' (, Japanese for " providence") in Japan, the ''Bright Moon Church'', the ''Morning Star Church'', and ''Jesus Morning Star'' (JMS). Each church branch that follows Jung's teaching keeps its own name (e.g. Nak-seong-dae Church, Seoul Church, etc.). While leader Jung Myung Seok was on the run since 1999, due to sexual assault exposes and civil lawsuits filed in South Korea, Japan and Taiwan, Providence, then known mostly as JMS, continued publishing Jung's sermons online, providing telephone counseling and holding overseas events for their followers. During his incarceration between 2008 and 2018, Jung's sermons and directives were delivered through visitors to the prison and through his successor Kim Ji Seon.


Australia

Providence began operating in Australia during 1997. Members of Providence have reported to been actively recruiting for new members at the
Australian National University The Australian National University (ANU) is a public university, public research university and member of the Group of Eight (Australian universities), Group of Eight, located in Canberra, the capital of Australia. Its main campus in Acton, A ...
. In April 2014, the Australian government-funded television network
Special Broadcasting Service The Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) is an Australian hybrid-funded public broadcasting, public service broadcaster. About 80 percent of funding for the company is derived from tax revenue. SBS operates six TV channels (SBS (Australian TV chann ...
reported on their activities in Australia, including statements by former members that they sought young attractive women. Providence refused numerous requests for a spokesperson to be interviewed for the program in Australia and Korea. The organization's Chief of External Affairs denied in writing to answer specific questions about the group's Australian activities. He stated that it had
charitable status A charitable organization or charity is an organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being (e.g. educational, religious or other activities serving the public interest or common good). The legal definition of a cha ...
for tax purposes. In May 2016, Australian magazine ''
Crikey Crikey is an Australian online news outlet founded in 1999. It consists of a website and email newsletter available to subscribers. History Crikey was founded by the activist shareholder Stephen Mayne, a journalist and former staffer of the ...
'' revealed that an
Australian Taxation Office The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is an Australian statutory agency and the principal revenue collection body for the Australian Government. The ATO has responsibility for administering the Taxation in Australia, Australian federal taxation ...
(ATO) employee had been whitewashing the Wikipedia article on Providence. Operating from a work computer since August 2015, the lawyer had removed negative press coverage from the article and inserted glowing praise of Jung, while casting doubt on Jung's prison conviction. The woman, who denied it at first, eventually admitted that she had made the edits. The ATO's Fraud Prevention and Internal Investigations Unit declined to take any action.
Seven News Seven News (stylised 7NEWS) is the television news service of the Seven Network and, as of 2021, the highest-rating in Australia. National bulletins are presented from Seven's high definition studios in South Eveleigh, Sydney, while its flags ...
Australia reported in 2023 that two Australian women had been recruited and trafficked to South Korea where JMS members allegedly raped them. Maria Naselli, President of the Lord's Hope Church of Providence in Sydney sent a video to Seven News stating "We want you to stop attacking us and to stop taking actions against us. If you do not heed this strong warning, we will hold a press conference against you".


Hong Kong

Providence has been reported on in Hong Kong, where it is known as ''The Bright Moon Church'' () or ''Setsuri'' (攝理教). In October 2006 a former member told ''
Oriental Daily News ''Oriental Daily News'' is a Chinese-language newspaper in Hong Kong. It was established in 1969 by Ma Sik-yu and Ma Sik-chun, and was one of the two newspapers published by the Oriental Press Group Limited (). Relative to other Hong Kong n ...
'' that it has about 100 core members in Hong Kong, including many medical graduates and some assistant professors. Though it has been in Hong Kong for years, its slow development kept it fairly unknown until its media exposure. Providence temporarily created an organization to run various community activities, known as the United Culture and Arts Network (UCAN).


Japan

Providence became active in Japan around 1985 or 1987. In 2006 the national newspaper ''
Asahi Shimbun is a Japanese daily newspaper founded in 1879. It is one of the oldest newspapers in Japan and Asia, and is considered a newspaper of record for Japan. The ''Asahi Shimbun'' is one of the five largest newspapers in Japan along with the ''Yom ...
'' reported that Providence is "causing serious social problems in Japan", labeling it as a "cult" and "sect". It also reported that the organization was pressuring members to live together, make regular donations, marry within the organization, and follow the strict guidance of its founder. It has been reported that Providence, commonly referred to as Setsuri in Japan, hides their religious affiliation at a Japanese university and solicited students as cultural clubs, specifically targeting students pursuing medical or legal professions and those who are interested in environmental issues,
sustainable development goals The ''2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development'', adopted by all United Nations (UN) members in 2015, created 17 world Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The aim of these global goals is "peace and prosperity for people and the planet" – wh ...
and international contributions. The movement is also known to recruit tall, fair-skinned and glamorous university students. It uses social media and student/workplace mentorship networking events to draw new members. It was estimated that the movement has increased its membership from about 2,000 to more than 6,000 followers in Japan between 2006 and 2022. The group's church usually consisted of a single apartment room, where their religious studies occurred. Sometimes the church was where some of the faithful cohabited. There were some 40 such churches across Japanese cities as of 2006. Members as students working part-time jobs were expected to contribute a minimum of at weekly church service, and as full-salaried wage-earners, monthly
tithe A tithe (; from Old English: ''teogoþa'' "tenth") is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government. Modern tithes are normally voluntary and paid in money, cash, cheques or v ...
s and bonus-time donations.Alt URL
Believers were instructed to live frugally on cheap food and never indulge in alcohol. They were forbidden from dating, but at a suitable time married within the group in mass ceremonies. Although the
Supreme Court of Japan The , located in Hayabusachō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, is the highest court in Japan. It has ultimate judicial authority to interpret the Japanese constitution and decide questions of national law. It has the power of judicial review, which allows it ...
in 1996 ruled
Blessing ceremony of the Unification Church The Holy Marriage Blessing Ceremony (축복결혼식), often abbreviated to Blessing, is a large-scale wedding, or a marriage rededication ceremony, sponsored by the Unification Church. It is given to married or engaged couples. Through it, membe ...
was invalid, more than 300 Japanese members of Providence were wed in six mass ceremonies held between 1996 and 2006 modeled on the UC. While being wanted on rape charges, Jung at a July 2003 mass wedding urged the couples via a big-screen Internet connection to have babies to increase the number of Providence members. In 2007, Japanese Police raided eight Providence facilities in Chiba on suspicion that a senior member illegally obtained residence status. They also searched a facility in the city's Chuo Ward. The senior member, a Korean, was arrested for overstaying her visa. It was learned that Providence recruited "high class, high income" men and selected women for "style and looks". As of 2008, it has been said that over 100 women have fallen victim of Jung's sexual transgressions in Japan alone.


New Zealand

''
The New Zealand Herald ''The New Zealand Herald'' is a daily newspaper published in Auckland, New Zealand, owned by New Zealand Media and Entertainment, and considered a newspaper of record for New Zealand. It has the largest newspaper circulation in New Zealand, ...
'' reported that Providence is recruiting young women in universities, shopping centres and churches. The
University of Auckland The University of Auckland (; Māori: ''Waipapa Taumata Rau'') is a public research university based in Auckland, New Zealand. The institution was established in 1883 as a constituent college of the University of New Zealand. Initially loc ...
issued a warning to student groups, and a parent support group for those whose children have been recruited or impacted was established. The Presbyterian Church of Auckland stated that its members are also being targeted. A 22-year-old University of Auckland student said that while a member she participated in photoshoots, fashion shows, and a Bible study course which introduced Jung as the new messiah. A Providence leader was approached for comment, but failed to turn up to a meeting with Herald staff.


Taiwan

Providence's earliest activity in Taiwan was in 1988. It is commonly known as Jesus Morning Star Church (JMS), ( zh, t=晨星會, tp=chéeng sīn hùei, p=chéngxīng huì, or ; shè lǐ jìao). Providence itself rejects these common names, officially registered as China Christian Youth Association (CCYA; ), and sometimes calls itself Providence Church (). In November 2001 the Taiwanese version of '' Next Magazine'' published the article "Korean cult leader raped over one hundred Taiwanese female college students". Allegedly involved
National Taiwan University National Taiwan University (NTU; zh, t=國立臺灣大學, poj=Kok-li̍p Tâi-oân Tāi-ha̍k, p=, s=) is a National university, national Public university, public research university in Taipei, Taiwan. Founded in 1928 during Taiwan under J ...
,
Fu Jen Catholic University Fu Jen Catholic University (FJU, FJCU or Fu Jen; or ) is a private education, private Catholic university in Xinzhuang District, Xinzhuang, New Taipei City, Taiwan. The university was founded in 1925 in Beijing at the request of Pope Pius XI and ...
, and
National Chengchi University National Chengchi University () is a public research university in Taipei, Taiwan. First established in Nanjing in 1927, the university was subsequently reestablished in 1954 in Taiwan as the first reestablished "National University". The u ...
all denied the report, stated that there were no cult activities in their campuses at the time. NCCU acknowledged that there had been such activities many years ago. There had been similar reports in 1997. Taiwanese authorities investigated Jung for raping women, but he fled the country. Members of EXODUS soon came to Taiwan and held a press conference with an involved woman. In October 2005 ''
Apple Daily ''Apple Daily'' ( zh, t=蘋果日報, j=ping4 gwo2 jat6 bou3) was a Chinese-language newspaper published in Hong Kong from 1995 to 2021. Founded by Jimmy Lai and part of Next Media, ''Apple Daily'' was known for its sensational headlines, ...
'' reported that many student clubs in
National Central University National Central University (; abbreviated NCU; ) is a public research university based in Taiwan. It was founded in 1902 in Nanjing; initially located in Miaoli after moving to Taiwan, it relocated to Zhongli in 1962 and developed into a com ...
and other campuses are recruiting for Providence Church. These clubs hold a wide variety of activities including the "Eagle Cup" soccer tournament in Taipei city and regular model training. The paper quoted an undisclosed former church member, that the church's "modeling department" is in fact a channel of recruiting sexual partners for Jung. The paper obtained three audio recordings of dialogs of some female members, which say that Jung have had sex with ten female members by mutual consent, most of them college students from the modeling department. In November 2024, JMS conducted the "13th Blessing Ceremony (Wedding)" for Taiwanese followers, during which concerns were raised about the excessive invasion of privacy. Specifically, the organization reportedly asked participants intrusive questions, including inquiries about the frequency of sexual relations.


Sexual abuse allegations in the media


Media exposes

The Providence sex scandal received wide public attention following
Seoul Broadcasting System Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS; ) is one of the leading Television in South Korea, South Korean television and radio broadcasters. The broadcaster legally became known as SBS in March 2000, changing its corporate name from Seoul Broadcasting ...
(SBS)'s exposé, broadcast in March 1999, on its TV
news magazine A news magazine is a typed, printed, and published magazine, radio, or television program, usually published weekly, consisting of articles about current events. News magazines generally discuss stories in greater depth than newspapers or new ...
'. Over 100 alleged victims were contacted for information in the making of this series. JMS, as Providence was known then, countered with lawsuits to suppress the broadcast, libel litigation, and an organized two-month barrage of phone calls, as many as 60,000 calls per day. The broadcast resulted in Jung fleeing the country one day later. Jung lived freely outside of Korea for the next seven years, until apprehended by the Chinese authorities in 2006, and repatriated to Korea in 2007. Sexual abuse allegation continued to surface against Jung overseas, in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan, and other locations. The news show ' followed with additional episodes covering Jung's activities abroad. In one episode, SBS reported how female members of Providence had been flown to and held against their will at Jung's hideout in
Anshan Anshan ( zh, s=鞍山, p=Ānshān, l=saddle mountain) is an inland prefecture-level city in central-southeast Liaoning province, People's Republic of China, about south of the provincial capital Shenyang. As of the 2020 census, it was Liaoning' ...
in the Chinese province
Liaoning ) , image_skyline = , image_alt = , image_caption = Clockwise: Mukden Palace in Shenyang, Xinghai Square in Dalian, Dalian coast, Yalu River at Dandong , image_map = Liaoning in China (+all claims hatched).svg , ...
on the border to Korea. One 28-year-old Korean, who in April 2005 managed to escape, confided how she was sexually violated multiple times by Jung. In Japan, there were 2,000 Providence members as of 2006, almost entirely students and graduates of prestigious colleges, and 60% women. During his sojourns in Japan, Jung summoned upwards of 10 women on an almost daily basis, and under the false pretext of running a "health check" would have improper sexual encounters with them. Jung's aides are said to have imposed strict secrecy of these encounters with Jung, threatening the women with condemnation to hell if they told anyone what he had done. In
Taiwan Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia. The main geography of Taiwan, island of Taiwan, also known as ''Formosa'', lies between the East China Sea, East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocea ...
too, similar incidents have been reported, where many female members of his organization were ordered to undress for a "health check", be subjected various forms of sexual abuse, including having sex with him to wipe off their sins. The anti-Providence group EXODUS (founded in 1999) held a press conference in April 2006, in which four unidentified women wearing
bucket hat A bucket hat (variations of which include the fisherman's hat, Irish country hat and session hat) is a hat with a narrow, downward-sloping Brim (hat), brim. Typically, the hat is made from heavy-duty cotton fabric such as denim or canvas, or h ...
s and
surgical mask A surgical mask, also known by other names such as a medical face mask or procedure mask, is a personal protective equipment used by healthcare professionals that serves as a mechanical barrier that interferes with direct airflow in and out of r ...
s covering their faces, accused Jung of organized sex crimes against themselves and other women, who required medical treatment. Jung denied the charges, his followers said. In 2008, in response to the rape allegations, Providence pastor Bae Jae-yong said that it was a "distorted rumor that was created by the people who have slandered ung and that "all fundamental truth will be clarified by ungat the prosecutor's office". According to allegations by ex-Providence members, as of 2012, some 500 to over 1,000 women members were still being groomed for future
sexual exploitation Sexual slavery and sexual exploitation is an attachment of any ownership rights, right over one or more people with the intent of Coercion, coercing or otherwise forcing them to engage in Human sexual activity, sexual activities. This includ ...
by Jung. Known internally as the "Evergreens" (), these female members are said to comprise a "reserve corps" for "sex bribes" (), a term for sexual favors accorded to those exercising power. The "Evergreens" are educated and handled by 10 women in Providence's leadership. Jo Gyeong-suk (), former head of the group's Seoul branch and herself an alleged victim, stated salvation through sexual union with Jung was part of its
canon Canon or Canons may refer to: Arts and entertainment * Canon (fiction), the material accepted as officially written by an author or an ascribed author * Literary canon, an accepted body of works considered as high culture ** Western canon, th ...
. According to Jo, "not a few of those women committed suicide. They become severely depressed and receive psychiatric treatment, suffer various illnesses and social phobias as a result of the stress, and are unable to marry." The accusers added that Providence leader Jung, even while serving sentence in prison, is supplied with photograph profiles of female members, for him to make selections on which women would be inducted as "Evergreens".


Netflix and MBC documentary

''In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal'' is a 2023
Netflix Netflix is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple lang ...
and MBC
docuseries Television documentaries are televised media productions that screen documentaries. Television documentaries exist either as a television documentary series or as a television documentary film. * Television documentary series, sometimes called d ...
that described the founding of the religious movement, indoctrination of its members, illegal heckling of dissidents committed by the group as well detailing the multiple rapes committed by sect leader Jung with testimonials from former members. Providence requested for a court injunction to prevent the Netflix series from airing. The request was denied as the South Korean court ruled that Netflix and MBC "appear to have made the program based on a considerable amount of objective and subjective materials backing its claim." After the broadcast, JMS filed approximately 40 lawsuits and complaints against sexual assault victims, Professor Kim Do-hyeong of
Dankook University Dankook University (commonly referred to as Dankook), abbreviated as DKU, is a private research university in Yongin and Cheonan, South Korea. The university was established in 1947. It was the first university established after the National Lib ...
, and PD Cho Seong-hyun. On August 16, 2024, the Mapo Police Station in Seoul referred the case against PD Cho Seong-hyun to the Seoul Western District Prosecutor's Office, applying charges of violating the Special Act on Sexual Violence. The reason for the charges was the allegation that PD Cho distributed a nude video that could provoke sexual desire or humiliation through the
documentary A documentary film (often described simply as a documentary) is a nonfiction Film, motion picture intended to "document reality, primarily for instruction, education or maintaining a Recorded history, historical record". The American author and ...
. In response, Professor Kim Do-hyeong questioned, "This law was established to punish bizarre sexual criminals like Jeong Myeong-seok and his accomplices. Is this law really applicable to PD Cho Seong-hyun, who exposed the reality of the grotesque sexual offender Jeong Myeong-seok and raised awareness in society?" Meanwhile, as PD Cho Seong-hyun has been referred to the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office on charges of violating the Special Act on Sexual Violence, causing widespread social repercussions, JMS has sparked further controversy by initiating an organized petition campaign through a notice from the church members' association, calling for Cho's punishment. Producer Cho Sung-hyun, who had been accused of violating the Special Act on Sexual Violence, has been cleared of charges.


Civil lawsuits and criminal conviction

Providence (then commonly known as JMS) leader Jung Myung-seok fled Korea in 1999 after Korean public broadcaster SBS reported on the rampant sexual abuse allegedly committed by Jung, and several civil lawsuits were subsequently filed against him. According to the Chinese and South Korean police, Jung had been on the run in Taiwan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan, Mainland China and other countries between 1999 and 2007. In 2001, Jung Myung-seok was investigated by Taiwanese authorities on multiple charges of sexual assault, but he left the country without standing trial. Taiwan Taipei District Prosecutor's Office then issued an arrest warrant for Jung in June 2003. Jung, having been wanted by
Interpol The International Criminal Police Organization – INTERPOL (abbreviated as ICPO–INTERPOL), commonly known as Interpol ( , ; stylized in allcaps), is an international organization that facilitates worldwide police cooperation and crime cont ...
since 2002, was arrested in Hong Kong in July 2003 for overstaying his visa, but was released three days later on a (US$1.3 million ) bail. When Hong Kong authorities approved
extradition In an extradition, one Jurisdiction (area), jurisdiction delivers a person Suspect, accused or Conviction, convicted of committing a crime in another jurisdiction, into the custody of the other's law enforcement. It is a cooperative law enforc ...
to Korea, Jung fled the extradition hearing. An Interpol Red Notice was issued on Jung in 2004. In 2006, South Korean authorities put Jung on an international wanted list on rape charges, and after learning that Jung had fled to China, the South Korean government officially asked China in November 2006 to extradite him. In February 2007,
Interpol The International Criminal Police Organization – INTERPOL (abbreviated as ICPO–INTERPOL), commonly known as Interpol ( , ; stylized in allcaps), is an international organization that facilitates worldwide police cooperation and crime cont ...
requested for the fingerprints of Jung from South Korea, who was then thought to be in Costa Rican territories under false documentation. According to Korean investigative magazine SisaIN, Jung was hiding in Qianshan near Anshan, Liaoning Province, China after escaping Hong Kong in 2003. After about 8 years on the run,
Chinese Ministry of Public Security The Ministry of Public Security (MPS, zh , c = , p = Gōng'ānbù ) is the primary law enforcement agency of the People's Republic of China. It oversees more than 1.9 million of the country's law enforcement officers and as such the vast majo ...
announced that Jung had been arrested in
Beijing Beijing, Chinese postal romanization, previously romanized as Peking, is the capital city of China. With more than 22 million residents, it is the world's List of national capitals by population, most populous national capital city as well as ...
by Chinese police on May 1, 2007. ruled in September 2007 to extradite Jung, a decision upheld by the
Supreme People's Court The Supreme People's Court of the People's Republic of China (SPC) is the highest court of the People's Republic of China. It hears appeals of cases from the high people's courts and is the trial court for cases about matters of national ...
. He was extradited back to South Korea to stand charges on February 20, 2008. Jung was also charged with fraud and embezzlement of church funds. A South Korean woman and a Japanese woman filed a criminal suit in 2003 against Jung for raping them. In January 2008, the
Supreme Court of Korea The Supreme Court of Korea () is the highest ordinary court in the judicial branch of South Korea, seated in Seocho, Seoul. Established under Chapter 5 of the Constitution of South Korea, the court has ultimate and comprehensive jurisdictio ...
awarded the two females (US$52000 ) and (US$10400) in damages for rape. The court said Jung forced the followers to have sex with him, saying that it is a religious behavior meant to save their souls. Providence followers started riots outside of newspapers that reported the court's verdict, broke into the Seoul office of the leading newspaper '' The Dong-a Ilbo'' trashing office furniture, and demanded the removal of articles critical of Jung. In the criminal case heard by the , former members told the court that Jung was provided with female members of his sect as "gifts", and he would then have sex them on a religious pretext. Reportedly Jung would be shown photographs of female members of his church, and once he chooses his "sexual gift", she would be conveyed to his place of stay outside Korea. In August 2008, Jung was convicted for raping female followers and sentenced by the Seoul Central District court to six years imprisonment. On February 10, 2009, the added four years to the district court's sentence of six years, overturning one of the lower court's acquittals and finding Jung guilty on a total of four counts of rape. Jung appealed his 10 years imprisonment sentence to the Supreme Court of Korea, but the sentence was upheld in April 2009. One of the sexually assaulted women subsequently filed a civil lawsuit against Jung. In its verdict in November 2009 ruled that "the plaintiff's right to bodily integrity was violated and she suffered psychological pain as a result of the sexual violence of defendant... The defendant is obligated to compensate plaintiff for her pain." and that Jung should pay in compensation.; original article: Jung Myung-seok was subsequently released from jail on February 18, 2018. On October 4, 2022, Jung Myung-seok was arrested by the Daejeon District Court on charges of sexually assaulting two women of Hong Kong and Australian nationalities. The alleged rapes were said to have occurred between 2018 and 2021 at JMS's Wolmyeongdong Sanctuary in Geumsan. He is charged and due to stand trial. On October 8, 2024, the Supreme Court has finalized a 7-year prison sentence for Kim Ji-sun, also known as Jeong Jo-eun, the "second-in-command" of the JMS cult, for aiding and abetting quasi-rape and forcible molestation. In addition to the prison sentence, she has been ordered to complete 80 hours of a sexual violence treatment program and faces a 10-year employment restriction. Other individuals involved, including the civil affairs director and a senior official, received 3 years in prison and a suspended 1 year and 6 months sentence with 3 years of probation, respectively. Two personal secretaries were acquitted. The court dismissed a lawsuit filed by the cosmetics brand "URG Chamfrey" against "Religion & Truth", seeking approximately 100 million KRW in damages related to reports alleging JMS's financial ties.


See also

*
Heterodox teachings (Chinese law) Heterodox teaching () is a concept in the law of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and its administration regarding new religious movements and their suppression. Also translated as 'cults' or 'evil religions', "heterodox teachings" are defin ...
*
List of messiah claimants A list is a set of discrete items of information collected and set forth in some format for utility, entertainment, or other purposes. A list may be memorialized in any number of ways, including existing only in the mind of the list-maker, bu ...
* Wolmyeongdong


Explanatory notes


References


Citations


Bibliography

* * * * * * * *


External links

* {{Official website, http://jungmyungseok.net/
Apologetics Index – Jung Myung Seok entry
Christian denominations in South Korea Christianity in South Korea Christian new religious movements Sexual abuse scandals and religion Providence (religious movement) New religious movements established in the 1980s Korean new religions