9th January 2025 – (Seoul) The Supreme Court of South Korea has upheld a 17-year prison sentence for Jeong Myeong-seok, the controversial leader of the Jesus Morning Star cult, following his conviction on multiple charges of rape and sexual assault against female followers. This ruling, issued today, marks the conclusion of a lengthy legal battle that has drawn significant public attention and concern about the exploitation of vulnerable individuals within religious communities.
Jeong, now 80 years old, was found guilty of sexually assaulting two foreign female followers and one South Korean follower on 23 separate occasions between February 2018 and September 2021. The court recognised that the victims were subjected to psychological manipulation that rendered them incapable of resisting Jeong’s predatory actions, a factor that significantly influenced the court’s decision.
Initially sentenced to 23 years in prison by a district court, Jeong appealed the decision, seeking a reduction in his sentence. However, the appellate court adjusted the term to 17 years, citing that the original sentence exceeded what was recommended under the guidelines. Jeong’s subsequent appeal to the Supreme Court was rejected, with the justices affirming that no errors had been made in the previous rulings.
In addition to his prison sentence, Jeong has been ordered to wear an electronic tracking device for the next 15 years and is prohibited from working in any child-related facilities for a decade. This aspect of the ruling reflects the court’s commitment to preventing future incidents of abuse.
Following the verdict, Maple Yip, the girlfriend of Hong Kong actor Alex Fong, a Hong Kong actress and one of Jeong’s victims, expressed her relief in a press conference. She stated, “I think I can start again now,” highlighting the emotional toll that the ordeal had taken on her life. Yip had previously shared her horrific experiences in the Netflix documentary “In the Name of God: Faith Betrayed,” which brought to light Jeong’s horrific actions and the impact on his victims.
In her heartfelt remarks, Yip reflected on the difficult journey she had faced, particularly during the time her story gained media attention. “It was mentally exhausting in Hong Kong during that period. After the news broke, it was hard to find work, and I felt lost about my future. Now that this chapter is finally over, I feel a sense of closure,” she said, encouraging other victims to remain hopeful and resilient.
Jeong’s legal troubles are not yet over, as he is currently facing additional charges of rape and sexual assault involving other female congregants.
The post Korean Supreme Court confirms 17-year sentence for cult leader Jeong Myeong-seok, HK victim Maple Yip expresses relief appeared first on Dimsum Daily.
English (US) ·