Editing Jung Myung-seok (section)

=== 2018–present ===
Jung Myung-seok was indicted in South Korea on 28 October 2022, for sexually assaulting a follower from Hong Kong and sexually abusing an Australian follower.<ref>{{Cite news |title=JMS 정명석 '성폭력 육성파일'…"사랑으로 날 섬겨야" 세뇌 |trans-title=JMS Jung Myung Seok 'Sexual Violence Files' "Serve me with love" brainwashing |work=[[JTBC]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN8Ci5BRG20 |access-date=12 March 2023 |archive-date=12 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312085835/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN8Ci5BRG20 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":6" />

On 13 March 2023, it was reported that Providence's second-in-command Jung Jo-eun, stated that there were seven people from the church who were sexually assaulted by Jung Myung-seok, of which two were minors. She also said that a Providence member said Jung Myung-seok gave false testimony. Jung Jo-Eun said in a recorded video that she had tried to prevent female followers from entering within a 3-meter radius next to Jung Myung-seok.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Choi |first=Hye-seung |date=13 March 2023 |title="정명석 반경 3m에 여자들 못 오게 막았다"... JMS 2인자, 범행 인정 |trans-title="I prevented women from coming within a 3&nbsp;m radius of Jeong Myeong-seok"... JMS No. 2 admitted to the crime |url=https://www.chosun.com/national/national_general/2023/03/13/VJHU3SFSLREO3LTUQHDFRK2PZQ/ |access-date=13 March 2023 |website=[[Chosun Ilbo]] |language=ko |archive-date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313063336/https://www.chosun.com/national/national_general/2023/03/13/VJHU3SFSLREO3LTUQHDFRK2PZQ/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Hae-jun |date=13 March 2023 |title=JMS 2인자, 선긋기 폭로에…"J언니는 그냥 악마" 피해자 분노 |url=https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/25146794 |access-date=13 March 2023 |website=[[JoongAng Ilbo]] |language=ko |archive-date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313124640/https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/25146794 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 22 December 2023, the 12th Criminal Division of the Daejeon District Court, presided over by Chief Judge Na Sang-hoon, sentenced Jung Myung-seok to 23 years in prison in a sentencing trial for charges including quasi-rape and forced molestation. The court also ordered a 10-year disclosure of personal information, 15 years of wearing a location-tracking electronic device, and a 10-year ban on employment in institutions related to children and adolescents.<ref>{{cite news|last=Shin|first=Jin Ho|title='성범죄' JMS 정명석 징역 23년…법원 앞 신도 200명 몰려왔다|trans-title='Sex Crimes' JMS Jung Myung-seok Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison... 200 Followers Gathered Outside the Court|url=https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/25216953#home|access-date=11 July 2024|newspaper=The JoongAng|date=22 December 2023}}</ref>

Pastor Kim Dae-deok, co-representative of the Christian Gospel Mission, expressed concern over the first trial's verdict, stating that fair procedures were ignored and constitutional principles were violated. He criticized the biased attitude of the court and its use of vague concepts in the judgment, announcing their intention to appeal immediately. Following the teachings of Jung Myung-seok, the organization pledged to fight with truth and peace, and Kwak Dong-won, representative of the church council, declared that they would continue to seek justice until Pastor Jung's innocence is proven.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kim|first=Ha Won|title=JMS 정명석 목사 23년 중형은 '무죄추정주의'와 '죄형법정주의' 무시된 선고라 외치다|trans-title=JMS Pastor Jung Myung-seok's 23-Year Sentence Decried as a Violation of 'Presumption of Innocence' and 'Principle of Legality'|url=https://www.ndnnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=519753|access-date=11 July 2024|newspaper=NDN News|date=22 December 2023}}</ref>

Regarding this, Jung Myung-seok's side has appealed, and the appellate trial is ongoing.<ref>{{cite news|last=Oh|first=Young Tae|title=여신도 준강간 혐의 'JMS 정명석 목사' 항소심, 결심 재촉한 검찰 측에 재판부 반응은?|trans-title=What was the court's reaction to the prosecution's urging to conclude the appellate trial of 'JMS Pastor Jung Myung-seok' who is accused of quasi-rape of a female follower?|url=https://www.newsprime.co.kr/news/article/?no=648428|access-date=1 August 2024|newspaper=Prime Economy|date=29 July 2024}}</ref> According to legal sources, Jung Myung-seok's detention period is set to expire on 15 August. Under the Criminal Procedure Act, a defendant detained during the first trial can have their detention extended up to three times during the appeals trial, with each extension lasting two months. However, since all six months have already been used, further extensions are not possible. This means that Jung could be released and stand trial without being detained until the appellate court delivers its verdict. The Daejeon High Court’s Criminal Division 3 initially planned to hold the sentencing hearing on 25 July but has decided to continue the proceedings on 22 August. The prosecution, considering that Jung's detention period would end soon, requested that witness examinations be completed even late at night, but this request was reportedly not accepted. Victims are protesting against Jung's release, and there are allegations that Jung's side intentionally delayed the trial to take advantage of the expiration of the detention period.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kim|first=Seong Hoon|title=징역 23년인데…정명석 풀려나서 호화생활 누리나|trans-title="Despite 23-Year Sentence, Will Jung Myung-seok Be Released to Live in Luxury?"|url=https://biz.heraldcorp.com/view.php?ud=20240730050174|access-date=12 August 2024|newspaper=Herald Economy|date=30 July 2024}}</ref>

The Daejeon District Court's Criminal Division 11 issued an arrest warrant for Jung Myung-seok on 13 August on charges including quasi-rape and violation of the Act on the Punishment of Violence (joint coercion), citing concerns of potential flight risk after completing the warrant review. Jung Myung-seok’s detention period can be renewed twice, in increments of two months each, allowing for a maximum of six months. As a result, Jung Myung-seok will face both the sixth appellate trial scheduled for 22 August and the first trial for another sexual assault case while in custody.<ref>{{cite news|last=Woo|first=Jung Sik|title='여신도 성폭행·강제추행' JMS 정명석, 추가 구속|trans-title=JMS Leader Jung Myung-seok, Additional Arrest for Sexual Assault and Molestation of Female Followers|url=https://www.chosun.com/national/regional/2024/08/13/P6PSL4DVDBDIRMWXITEU2MLP3U/|access-date=14 August 2024|newspaper=Chosun Ilbo|date=13 August 2024}}</ref> The final arguments from Jung Myung-seok's side, along with the court's ruling, are expected to take place during the appellate trial on 6 September.<ref>{{cite news|last=Park|first=In Jae|title=정명석 변호인, "피고인 방어권 보장 위해 변론 준비에 시간 달라"|trans-title=Jung Myung-seok's Defense Attorney Requests More Time to Prepare, Citing Need to Protect Defendant's Right to a Fair Defense|url=http://m.amennews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=20467|access-date=28 August 2024|newspaper=Amen News|date=27 August 2024}}</ref>

Jung Myung-seok was convicted of rape and sexual assault against foreign female followers and initially sentenced to 23 years in prison. In his appeal, however, the court reduced his sentence by six years to 17 years. The victims of Jung Myung-seok, who was sentenced to 17 years in prison, have filed a civil lawsuit against him, seeking 750 million KRW (approximately $570,000) in damages, based on the criminal charges outlined in his trial.<ref>{{cite news|title=JMS 정명석 교주의 성범죄 피해자들, 민사소송 제기|trans-title="Victims of JMS Leader Jung Myung-seok's Sexual Crimes File Civil Lawsuit"|language=ko|url=http://m.amennews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=20613|access-date=11 October 2024|newspaper=Amen News|date=10 October 2024}}</ref> Additional charges are still being tried, and there are around ten ongoing investigations led by the prosecution.<ref>{{cite news|title=JMS 정명석 교주, 3번째로 재판에 넘겨져|trans-title=JMS Leader Jung Myung-seok Indicted for the Third Time|language=ko|url=https://www.amennews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=30116|access-date=3 December 2024|newspaper=Amen News|date=3 December 2024}}</ref> Considering Jung’s age, it appears unlikely that he will be released alive.<ref>{{cite news|last=Park|first=In Jae|title=JMS 정명석 교주, 항소심서 징역 23년→17년으로 감형|trans-title=JMS Leader Jung Myung-seok's Sentence Reduced from 23 to 17 Years in Appeal|language=ko|url=http://m.amennews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=20597|access-date=4 October 2024|newspaper=Amen News|date=2 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title="정명석 감형해 준 항소심 재판부, 어리석은 판단"|trans-title="Appellate Court That Reduced Jung Myung-seok's Sentence Made a Foolish Decision"|language=ko|url=http://m.amennews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=20609|access-date=8 October 2024|newspaper=Amen News|date=8 October 2024}}</ref> 

On 9 January 2025, Jung Myung-seok was sentenced to 17 years in prison by the Supreme Court of South Korea. The Supreme Court's Second Division (Presiding Justice Oh Kyung-mi) upheld the lower court's ruling, confirming the 17-year sentence. The order for 15 years of electronic location tracking also remained unchanged.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kim|first=Jung Su|title=JMS 정명석, 대법원에서 17년 형 확정|trans-title=JMS Leader Jung Myung-seok Sentenced to 17 Years by Supreme Court|language=ko|url=http://www.hdjongkyo.co.kr/m/content/view.html?section=22&category=1003&no=20296|access-date=10 January 2025|newspaper=Modern Religion|date=9 January 2025}}</ref> Meanwhile, the JMS headquarters strongly protested the ruling, expressing regret over the alleged failure to uncover the full truth in a statement titled "The Church's Position on Pastor Jung Myung-seok's Supreme Court Ruling," released immediately after the verdict.<ref>{{cite news|last=Park|first=In Jae|title=정명석 징역 17년 확정에 JMS 신도들 강력 반발|trans-title=JMS Followers Strongly Oppose Jung Myung-seok’s 17-Year Prison Sentence|language=ko|url=https://www.amennews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=30271|access-date=10 January 2025|newspaper=Amen News|date=9 January 2025}}</ref>

It has been revealed that Ryu Jae-bok, a reporter from the internet newspaper ''Jeonggyeong Sisa FOCUS'', which has been consistently known for writing articles in defense of Jeong Myeong-seok, was given priority entry into the courtroom, causing controversy. There are criticisms that this is unfair as equal reporting opportunities were not provided to mainstream Christian media.<ref>{{cite news|last=Park|first=In Jae|title=재판정 좌석독점도 모자라 옹호 기사 써주는 언론사 기자까지 입장시킨 JMS|trans-title=JMS Monopolizes Courtroom Seats and Even Allows Entry to a Reporter from a Supportive News Outlet|url=http://m.amennews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=20430|access-date=16 August 2024|newspaper=Amen News|date=14 August 2024}}</ref>