What sentence did prosecutors seek for JMS leader Jung Myung-seok in the sexual assault case?

Prosecutors sought a 27-year prison term for Jung Myung-seok. They said he raped and sexually abused 16 followers and repeatedly abused trust in vulnerable victims.

Why did prosecutors say Jung Myung-seok was able to assault followers repeatedly?

They said he brainwashed female followers into believing he was the Messiah, which made them incapable of resisting. The assaults were described as having happened around 80 times between 2018 and 2022.

Prosecutors demand 27-year prison term for religious leader over sexual assault

Q: What other penalties did prosecutors request for Jung Myung-seok besides prison?

They asked the district court for a 10-year ban on work at facilities related to children, juveniles and disabled people, 20 years of wearing an electronic tracking device and five years of probation.

Listen

Summary

Prosecutors on Monday demanded a 27-year prison term for Jung Myung-seok, the leader of the Jesus Morning Star sect, over the rape and sexual abuse of 16 followers. They said he assaulted or molested the women around 80 times between 2018 and 2022 after brainwashing them into believing he was the Messiah. Prosecutors also sought a 10-year employment ban, 20 years with an electronic tracking device and five years of probation.

Key Facts

Jung Myung-seok is 81 years old and leads the Jesus Morning Star sect, also known as JMS.
He was accused of sexually assaulting or molesting female members around 80 times between 2018 and 2022.
Prosecutors asked for a 10-year employment restriction at facilities related to children, juveniles and disabled people, 20 years of electronic tracking and five years of probation.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 7, 2026 4:03 pm KST
Updated Sep 7, 2026 6:22 pm KST

Jung Myung-seok, left, is seen in this Feb. 18, 2019, photo provided by Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office. Yonhap

Prosecutors on Monday demanded a 27-year prison term for the leader of a religious sect, the Jesus Morning Star (JMS), on charges of raping and sexually abusing 16 followers, officials said.

Jung Myung-seok, 81, was accused of sexually assaulting or molesting the female members on around 80 occasions between 2018 and 2022 after making them incapable of resisting by brainwashing them into believing he was the "Messiah."

"The defendant repeatedly committed crimes by exploiting relationships of trust with vulnerable victims," the prosecution said.

Prosecutors also requested a district court's orders of a 10-year employment restriction at facilities related to children, juveniles and disabled people, 20 years of wearing an electronic tracking device and five years of probation.

Jung is currently serving a 17-year prison sentence after the Supreme Court finalized the ruling in January 2025 for sexually assaulting a Hong Kong national and harassing an Australian follower and a Korean follower.

Prior to the 2025 sentence, he served a 10-year prison term for sexually assaulting and molesting four female followers overseas between 2001 and 2006, and was released in February 2018.

Explore More