Editing Providence (religious movement) (section)

== Civil lawsuits and criminal convictions ==
Providence (then commonly known as JMS) leader [[Jung Myung-seok]] fled Korea in 1999 after Korean public broadcaster [[SBS TV (South Korean TV channel)|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.<ref name=":3" /><ref name="joongang">{{cite news |date=February 21, 2008 |title=Cult boss extradited to face sex raps |newspaper=[[JoongAng Ilbo]] |url=http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2886496 |access-date=November 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718172736/http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2886496 |archive-date=July 18, 2011 |quote=Jung was taken directly to the Seoul Central Public Prosecutors' Office from the airport. Prosecutors began questioning Jung after his arrival regarding nine complaints filed against him on charges that include embezzlement and sexual assault.}}</ref>

In 2001, Jung Myung-seok was investigated by Taiwanese authorities on multiple charges of sexual assault, but he left the country without standing trial.<ref name="Korea JoongAng Daily">{{cite news
| url          = http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2875640
| title        = Founder of cult captured in China after eight years
| newspaper=[[Korea JoongAng Daily]]
| date         = May 17, 2007
| access-date   = August 31, 2015
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20150925161545/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2875640
| archive-date = September 25, 2015
| url-status     = live
| df           = mdy-all
}}</ref> Taiwan Taipei District Prosecutor's Office then issued an arrest warrant for Jung in June 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |last=聯合新聞網 |date=2023-03-06 |title=南韓「攝理教主」遭爆性侵上百名台灣女大生 北檢通緝至2027年 |trans-title=South Korea's Setsurin sect leader sexually assaulted hundreds of female college students from Taiwan. Wanted by the Taipei District Prosecutor until 2027 |url=https://udn.com/news/story/7317/7012949 |access-date=2023-03-08 |website=[[United Daily News]] |language=zh-Hant-TW}}</ref> Jung, having been wanted by [[Interpol]] since 2002,<ref name="kang-koreatimes" /> was arrested in Hong Kong in July 2003 for overstaying his visa, but was released three days later on a {{HKD|10,000,000}} (US$1.3 million {{as of|2003|07|lc=on}}) bail. When Hong Kong authorities approved [[extradition]] to Korea, Jung fled the extradition hearing.<ref name="sisapress" /><ref name="theaustralian">{{cite news
| url          = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/asian-cult-leader-arrested/story-e6frg6so-1111113538594
| title        = Asian Cult Leader Arrested
| date         = May 15, 2007
| work         = [[The Australian]]
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20141010100430/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/asian-cult-leader-arrested/story-e6frg6so-1111113538594
| archive-date = October 10, 2014
| quote        = Jung, wanted by Korean police for rape, fraud and embezzlement, escaped South Korea in 1999 and was later placed on the Interpol wanted list. He next surfaced in Hong Kong in 2003, where he was charged with being an illegal immigrant, granted bail and fled again – apparently to China. He was caught by police in Anshan, in Liaoning, the Chinese province that borders North Korea. It is believed he has also, while on the run, lived in Italy and Taiwan.
| access-date   = August 24, 2015
| url-status      = dead
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url         = http://www.npa.go.kr/eng/visitor/visitorView.jsp?seq=167
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20081009220613/http://www.npa.go.kr/eng/visitor/visitorView.jsp?seq=167
| archive-date = October 9, 2008
| title       = Ask the Police
| publisher   = [[Law enforcement in South Korea|Korean National Police Agency]]
| date        = September 21, 2003
| access-date  = November 21, 2006
| quote       = Seoul Interpol requested the suspect's deportation to Hongkong Interpol on 1 July 2003. The suspect was arrested for illegal stay in Hongkong, China by Hongkong Immigration Department on 9 July 2003 but released on bail after 3 days. Hongkong Immigration Department approved the exit order for Korea against Myung Sok JUNG. However, the suspect disappeared since he appealed dissatisfaction to Immigration Department on 1 August 2003. Hongkong police cancelled the bail against the suspect and are searching for him after registering the suspect on watching lists.
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| url         = http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22998981-23109,00.html
| title       = Accused rapist cult leader faces extradition to Korea
| date        = January 2, 2008
| access-date  = February 27, 2008
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080115174612/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C23599%2C22998981-23109%2C00.html
| archive-date = January 15, 2008
| url-status     = dead
}}</ref>

An [[Interpol Red Notice]] was issued on Jung in 2004.<ref name="cult_leader_extradited">{{cite news
| url         = https://koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/02/113_19368.html
| title       = Cult Leader Extradited to Korea
| work        = [[The Korea Times]]
| date        = February 21, 2008
| access-date  = February 27, 2008
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080401134040/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/02/113_19368.html
| archive-date = April 1, 2008
| url-status  = live
| quote       = He'd been on Korean wanted lists since 1999 (and the Interpol Red Notice since 2004) after fleeing the country after charges of rape emerged. While overseas, he made constant headlines for allegedly raping female devotees in various countries.
}}</ref> In 2006, South Korean authorities put Jung on an international wanted list on rape charges,<ref name="lawyers_eye_cult">{{cite news
| url          = http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2006/07/31/national/lawyers-eye-cult-rape-accusations/
| title        = Lawyers eye cult rape accusations
| work=[[The Japan Times]]
| date         = July 31, 2006
| access-date   = August 31, 2015
| quote        = South Korean authorities have put Jung, 61, on an international wanted list on rape charges. Watanabe said the head of Setsuri persuaded Japanese women to join the cult, introduced them to Jung and took them to Jung's hideout. Jung allegedly raped the women, Watanabe said, while they were under mind control.
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20150828143349/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2006/07/31/national/lawyers-eye-cult-rape-accusations/
| archive-date = August 28, 2015
| url-status     = live
| df           = mdy-all
}}</ref> and after learning that Jung had fled to China, the South Korean government officially asked China in November 2006 to extradite him.<ref name="Korea JoongAng Daily" /> In February 2007, [[Interpol]] requested for the fingerprints of Jung from South Korea, who was then thought to be in Costa Rican territories under false documentation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-02-08 |title=Interpol solicitó a Corea del Sur huellas dactilares de líder prófugo de secta religiosa |trans-title=Interpol asked South Korea for fingerprints of fugitive religious sect leader |url=https://www.nacion.com/archivo/interpol-solicito-a-corea-del-sur-huellas-dactilares-de-lider-profugo-de-secta-religiosa/LCSWNCZO55A6PC7UBOJHGBV5Q4/story/ |access-date=2023-03-08 |website=La Nación |language=es}}</ref>

According to Korean investigative magazine SisaIN, Jung was hiding in Qianshan near Anshan, Liaoning Province, China after escaping Hong Kong in 2003.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shin |first=Ho-cheol |date=2007-10-09 |title=중국 지방 공안이 정명석 비호했다 |trans-title=Chinese provincial public security guarded Jeong Myung-seok |url=https://www.sisain.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=194 |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=SisaIN |language=ko}}</ref> After about 8 years on the run,<ref>{{cite news |date=February 21, 2008 |title=China extradites chief of alleged S. Korean rapist cult |newspaper=China Post |agency=[[Agence France-Presse|AFP]], ''[[China Post]]'' |place=Taiwan |url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/2008/02/21/143806/China-extradites.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=February 27, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612011929/http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/2008/02/21/143806/China-extradites.htm |archive-date=June 12, 2011 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> [[Ministry of Public Security (China)|Chinese Ministry of Public Security]] announced that Jung had been arrested in [[Beijing]] by Chinese police on May 1, 2007.<ref name="theaustralian" /><ref name="Fox News">
{{cite news |date=May 16, 2007 |title=Alleged South Korean Rape Cult Leader Arrested in China |publisher=[[Fox News Channel]] |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/alleged-south-korean-rape-cult-leader-arrested-in-china |url-status=live |access-date=February 27, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228122405/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,272712,00.html |archive-date=December 28, 2007 |df=mdy-all}}
</ref><ref name="donga1">{{cite news |date=May 17, 2007 |title=Jeong Myeong-seok Arrested in China |work=[[The Dong-a Ilbo]] |url=http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2007051777138 |url-status=live |access-date=February 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304144223/http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2007051777138 |archive-date=March 4, 2014 |quote=Hwang Chul-kyu, who is in charge of international crime cases in Ministry of Justice, announced on May 16 that, "Chinese police informed us that a man caught in Beijing on May 1 turned out to be Jeong Myeong-seok after comparing fingerprints." |df=mdy-all}}</ref> {{Interlanguage link|Liaoning Provincial Higher People's Court|zh|3=辽宁省高级人民法院}} ruled in September 2007 to extradite Jung, a decision upheld by the [[Supreme People's Court]].<ref>{{cite news |author=등록 |date=February 22, 2008 |script-title=ko:정명석 제이엠에스 총재 |trans-title=Jung Myung-seok the JMS leader detained |journal=[[The Hankyoreh]] |url=http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/religious/271485.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925210444/http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/religious/271485.html |archive-date=September 25, 2015 |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=October 2, 2007 |script-title=ko:8년 도피 행각 JMS 정명석, 한국 인도 결정 |trans-title=8 years on the run, decision to send JMS's Jung Myung-seok back to Korea |journal=Christian Today |url=http://www.christiantoday.co.kr/view.htm?id=187853 |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925214711/http://www.christiantoday.co.kr/view.htm?id=187853 |archive-date=September 25, 2015 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> He was extradited back to South Korea to stand charges on February 20, 2008.<ref name="iht" /><ref name=":3" /> 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.<ref>{{cite news
| url          = http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/02/23/S-Korean-sect-leader-facing-rape-charges/81811203796166/
| title        = S. Korean sect leader facing rape charges
| work       = United Press International
| date         = February 23, 2008
| access-date   = August 31, 2015
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20150828183633/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/02/23/S-Korean-sect-leader-facing-rape-charges/81811203796166/
| archive-date = August 28, 2015
| url-status     = live
| df           = mdy-all
}}</ref> In January 2008, the [[Supreme Court of Korea]] awarded the two females {{SK won|50,000,000|link=yes}} (US$52000 {{as of|2008|01|lc=on}}) and {{SK won|10,000,000}} (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.<ref name="yonhap2008">{{cite news
| url          = http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2008/02/23/56/0302000000AEN20080223001200315F.HTML
| title        = Religious sect leader formally arrested on rape charges
| publisher    = [[Yonhap]]
| date         = February 23, 2008
| access-date   = February 27, 2008
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080305014211/http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2008/02/23/56/0302000000AEN20080223001200315F.HTML
| archive-date = March 5, 2008
| url-status     = live
| df           = mdy-all
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| url          = http://nuri.donga.com/nurinews/view.php?k_id=200801110239&m=2
| archive-url   = https://web.archive.org/web/20080215060441/http://nuri.donga.com/nurinews/view.php?k_id=200801110239&m=2
| archive-date  = February 15, 2008
| publisher    = Donganuri News
| script-title = ko:JMS 정명석씨, 신도 성폭행 6천만원 위자료 확정
| language     = ko
| trans-title  = Court upholds compensation for JMS's raped followers in the amount of 60 million won
| date         = January 11, 2008
| access-date   = January 27, 2008
| quote        = {{Korean | labels       = no|JMS 정명석 총재에게 성추행ㆍ성폭행 당한 여성신도 2명이 위자료를 받게 됐다 }}. (Two female followers received compensation for sexual assault and rape by Leader Jung Myung Soek.)
}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news
| url          = http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2008011523598
| title        = Cult Followers Break into Dong-A Ilbo Office
| work         = The Dong-a Ilbo
| date         = January 15, 2008
| access-date   = March 1, 2014
| quote        = Members of the religious cult JMS broke into the editorial office of the Dong-A Ilbo Monday morning. They smashed the glass entrance on the 13th floor to enter the daily's office, demanding the removal of articles on the cult's founder Jeong Myeong-seok. Jeong is reportedly hiding in China after being accused by former women followers of committing sexual assault and rape.
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20140304170158/http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2008011523598
| archive-date = March 4, 2014
| url-status     = live
| df           = mdy-all
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| url          = http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2008/01/17/2008011701088.html
| script-title = ko:언론계에 'JMS 공포'
| language     = ko
| trans-title  = JMS terror in the world of media
| work         = [[Chosun Ilbo]]
| date         = January 17, 2008
| quote        = {{Korean | labels       = no|17일 언론계에 따르면 JMS 신도 40여명은 지난 14일 서울 광화문 동아일보 사옥 13층 편집국에 난입, "정명석 총재 관련 기사를 내리라"고 강요하며 장시간 난동을 부렸다 }}.  (The press reported on the 17th that on the 14th, 40 followers of JMS forced their way into the editorial department on the 13th floor of the Dong-a Ilbo Building in Gwanghwamun Seoul, demanded the paper recall articles about Jung Myung-seok, and created a general disturbance for several hours.)
 |access-date  = January 16, 2014
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20131023041924/http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2008/01/17/2008011701088.html
 |archive-date = October 23, 2013
 |url-status     = live
 |df           = mdy-all
}}</ref><ref name="joongang" /><ref>{{cite news
| url          = http://news.donga.com/3/all/20080724/8606939/1
| script-title = ko:검찰, 본사난입 JMS 신도 7명 기소<!-- : 뉴스 : 동아닷컴-->
| trans-title  = Prosecutors raid JMS headquarter, indicting 7<!--: News: Dong-a-dot-com-->
| language     = ko
| work         = The Dong-a Ilbo
| date         = July 24, 2008
| access-date   = March 1, 2014
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20140304173013/http://news.donga.com/3/all/20080724/8606939/1
| archive-date = March 4, 2014
| url-status     = live
| df           = mdy-all
}}</ref>

In the criminal case heard by the [[Seoul Central District Court]], 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.<ref name="reuters1" /> 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.<ref name="kang-koreatimes" />

In August 2008, Jung was convicted for raping female followers and sentenced by the Seoul Central District court to six years imprisonment.<ref>{{cite news
| last       = Herskovitz
| first      = Jon
| url        = https://nationalpost.com/news/world/story.html?id=f341a144-96f3-401a-a0e3-21c11e21a2af
| title      = South Korean religious sect leader jailed for rape
| work       = [[National Post]]
| date       = May 22, 2014
| access-date = August 31, 2015
| quote      = A South Korean court on Tuesday sentenced Jung Myung-seok, the leader of a fringe religious sect, to six years in jail for raping female followers, a court official said. Jung, 63, the leader of the Jesus Morning Star sect (JMS), fled to China from South Korea in 2001 where he had been charged with selecting followers from photographs and then forcing them to have sex with him.
}}{{dead link|date=October 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| url          = https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/12/117_29224.html
| title        = Cult Leader Gets 6-Year Prison Term
| work         = The Korea Times
| date         = August 12, 2008
| access-date   = February 28, 2014
| quote        = Notorious cult leader Jung Myung-seok received Tuesday a six-year prison sentence for raping and sexually abusing his female followers.
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20150925185747/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/12/117_29224.html
| archive-date = September 25, 2015
| url-status     = live
| df           = mdy-all
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| url          = http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2008/08/12/2008081201759.html
| script-title = ko:정명석 JMS총재 징역 6년 선고
| language     = ko
| trans-title  = JMS leader Jung Myung-Seok sentenced to six years in prison
| work         = [[Chosun Ilbo]]
| date         = August 13, 2008
| access-date   = October 29, 2013
| quote        = {{Korean | labels       = no|서울중앙지법 형사26부(재판장 배기열)는 12일 여자 신도들을 성폭행한 혐의로 구속기소된 JMS(기독교복음선교회) 총재 정명석(63)씨에게 징역 6년을 선고했다 }}. (The Seoul Central District Court No. 26 Criminal Division (Justice Bae Ki-yeol) delivered a prison sentence of six years to JMS President Jung Myung-seok, 63, who had been arrested and charged with raping 12 female followers.)
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20131105081109/http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2008/08/12/2008081201759.html
 |archive-date = November 5, 2013
 |url-status     = live
 |df           = mdy-all
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| last         = 송
| first        = 경호 (Song Gyeong-ho)
| url          = http://www.christiantoday.co.kr/view.htm?id=200699
| script-title = ko:성폭행 혐의 정명석, 항소심 선고 10일로 연기
| trans-title  = Jung Myung-seok sexual assault allegations, asks appeal court to postpone decision 10th
| journal      = Christian Today 크리스천투데이
| date         = February 5, 2009
| url-status      = live
| archive-url   = https://web.archive.org/web/20090207130926/http://christiantoday.co.kr/view.htm?id=200699
| archive-date  = February 7, 2009
| access-date   = September 10, 2015
}}</ref> On February 10, 2009, the [[Seoul High Court]] added four years to the district court's [[sentence (law)|sentence]] of six years, overturning one of the lower court's acquittals and finding Jung guilty on a total of four counts of rape.<ref name="straitstimes">{{cite news
| url         = http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_336458.html
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20101115020432/http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_336458.html
| place       = Singapore
| newspaper   = The Straits Times
| agency      = [[Agence France-Presse]]
| title       = Cult head jailed for sex crimes
| date        = February 10, 2009
| archive-date = November 15, 2010
| access-date  = October 29, 2013
}}</ref><ref name="joongang-supreme-sentence">{{cite news
| url          = http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2900886
| last         = Ser
| first        = Myo-ja
| title        = Cult head gets harsh new sentence
| journal      = Korea JoongAng Daily (JoongAng Ilbo)
| date         = February 11, 2009
| access-date   = August 23, 2015
| quote        = The Seoul High Court ruled yesterday that Jung is guilty of a total four counts of rape, overturning one acquittal and handing down a heavier punishment.
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20150925171141/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2900886
| archive-date = September 25, 2015
| url-status     = live
| df           = mdy-all
}}</ref> Jung appealed his 10 years imprisonment sentence to the Supreme Court of Korea, but the sentence was upheld in April 2009.<ref name="yonhap2009">{{cite news
| url          = http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/society/2009/04/23/0702000000AKR20090423068400004.HTML
| script-title = ko:JMS 정명석 징역 10년 확정
| language     = ko
| trans-title  = Jung Myung-Seok's 10-year prison sentence upheld
| publisher    = [[Yonhap]]
| date         = April 23, 2009
| access-date   = October 29, 2013
| quote        = {{Korean | labels       = no|여신도들을 성폭행한 혐의(강간) 등으로 구속기소된 국제크리스천연합(JMS) 총재 정명석(64)씨에게 징역 10년을 선고한 원심을 확정했다. }}
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102092227/http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/society/2009/04/23/0702000000AKR20090423068400004.HTML
 |archive-date = November 2, 2013
 |url-status     = live
 |df           = mdy-all
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| url          = https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/04/117_43718.html
| title        = Court Upholds 10-Yr Sentence on Cult Leader
| work         = [[The Korea Times]]
| date         = April 23, 2009
| access-date   = March 1, 2014
| quote        = The Supreme Court upheld a 10-year-imprisonment sentence on Jung Myung-suk, the leader of the JMS (Jesus Morning Star) religious cult Thursday for the rape and sexual assault of five Korean female followers. Jung was indicted for sexually assaulting the victims between 2003 and 2006 in Hong Kong, Malaysia and China. A lower court convicted him on three counts sentencing him to a six-year-prison term, but a high court extended this to 10 years convicting him on all five counts.
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20150925185436/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/04/117_43718.html
| archive-date = September 25, 2015
| url-status     = live
| df           = mdy-all
}}</ref>

One of the sexually assaulted women subsequently filed a civil lawsuit against Jung. In its verdict in November 2009 {{Interlanguage link|Seoul Western District Court|ko|3=서울서부지방법원}} 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 {{SK won|50,000,000|link=no}} in compensation.<ref name="Court-rules-50million">{{cite news
| translator         = Schwartzman, Nathan
| url          = http://asiancorrespondent.com/24930/cult-leader-hit-by-new-judgment/
| title        = South Korean cult leader hit by new judgment
| publisher    = [[Asian Correspondent]]
| date         = November 18, 2009
| access-date   = September 20, 2015
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20150109090340/http://asiancorrespondent.com/24930/cult-leader-hit-by-new-judgment/
| archive-date = January 9, 2015
| url-status     = live
| df           = mdy-all
}}; original article: {{cite news
| url          = http://news.joins.com/article/616/3877616.html?
| archive-url   = https://web.archive.org/web/20091119202840/http://news.joins.com/article/616/3877616.html
| archive-date  = November 19, 2009
| script-title = ko:법원, JMS 정명석 5천만원 배상 판결
| language     = ko
| trans-title  = Court rules 50 million won damages against JMS's Jung Myeong-suk
| newspaper    = [[JoongAng Ilbo]]
| agency       = Yonhap News
| date         = November 16, 2009
| url-status      = dead
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| url          = http://sports.hankooki.com/lpage/lifenjoy/200911/sp2009111619423394470.htm
| script-title = ko: 법원, JMS 정명석 5천만원 배상 판결
| trans-title  = Court orders JMS's Jung Myung Seok to pay 50 million won restitution
| work         = [[Hankook Ilbo]]
| date         = November 16, 2009
| access-date  = 2015-08-18
| language     = ko
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20151223141428/http://sports.hankooki.com/lpage/lifenjoy/200911/sp2009111619423394470.htm
| archive-date = December 23, 2015
| url-status     = live
| df           = mdy-all
}}<!--old url=http://news.hankooki.com/lpage/society/200911/h2009111619424222000.htm--></ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=MBN News |date=13 January 2015 |title=[correction press] religious group resisting investigation...'fled to the foreign country' [정정보도문] 과거 종교집단 수사 저항...교주 '해외도피' |work=MBN News{{!}}TV |url=https://www.mbn.co.kr/news/society/2165825 |url-status=live |access-date=14 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421155923/https://mbn.co.kr/news/society/2165825 |archive-date=April 21, 2020}}</ref>

Jung Myung-seok was subsequently released from jail on February 18, 2018.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-07 |title="정명석에 성폭행 당한 전여친…통화 들킬까봐 영어로 대화" |url=https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/25145371 |access-date=2023-03-08 |website=[[JoongAng Ilbo]] |language=ko}}</ref>

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 County|Geumsan]]. He is charged and due to stand trial.<ref name=":2" />

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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Oh|first=Myung Ok|title='JMS 정명석 성범죄 가담' 2인자 김지선... 대법원, 징역 7년 확정|trans-title="Kim Ji-sun, JMS Deputy Involved in Jung Myung-seok's Sexual Crimes, Sentenced to 7 Years by Supreme Court"|language=ko|url=http://www.churchheresy.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1482|access-date=10 October 2024|newspaper=Church and Heresy|date=8 October 2024}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Park|first=In Jae|title=JMS 자금줄 의혹 '유알지 샹프리', 종교와진리 상대 손해배상소송 '패소'|trans-title=JMS Funding Source Suspect ‘URG Chamfree’ Loses Defamation Lawsuit Against Religion & Truth|language=ko|url=http://www.churchheresy.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1533|access-date=19 February 2025|newspaper=Church Heresy|date=18 February 2025}}</ref>

On January 9, 2025, the Supreme Court finalized a 17 year prison sentence for Jung Myung-seok.<ref name=jungconviction />