| Revision as of 04:18, 13 January 2013 editMacauthor (talk | contribs)299 edits Added Jung's teaching based on his organization's website← Previous edit | Revision as of 11:13, 15 January 2013 edit undoShii (talk | contribs)21,017 edits providencetrial.com and gospelofprovidence.com not RS. newspapers all around the world are RS.Next edit → | ||
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| {{korean name|] (정)}} | {{korean name|] (정)}} | ||
| '''Jung Myung-Seok''' (born February 3, 1945) is the founder of an international Christian ] ]. He is also known by the names of '''Joshua Jung''', and JMS.<ref name="Magazine Article: Retrial need for JMS">{{cite journal|first=Moon Il Seok|title=Retrial needed for the case of Jung Myung Seok|journal=Civil Government|url=http://providencetrial.com/jms-in-the-news-full-report-reveals-all/|accessdate=23 March 2011}}</ref> | '''Jung Myung-Seok''' (born February 3, 1945) is the founder of an international Christian ] ]. He is also known by the names of '''Joshua Jung''', and JMS.<ref name="Magazine Article: Retrial need for JMS">{{cite journal|first=Moon Il Seok|title=Retrial needed for the case of Jung Myung Seok|journal=Civil Government|url=http://providencetrial.com/jms-in-the-news-full-report-reveals-all/|accessdate=23 March 2011}}</ref> Since founding his first church in Seoul, South Korea in 1980 Jung has developed his organization into a religious movement. After rape allegations he fled Korea in 1999. Jung was finally arrested by Chinese police in May 2007.<ref name=theaustralian>{{cite news| url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21732554-2703,00.html| title=Asian Cult Leader Arrested| publisher=]| date=2007-05-15|accessdate=2008-02-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,272712,00.html| title=Alleged South Korean Rape Cult Leader Arrested in China| publisher=]| date=2007-05-16| accessdate=2008-02-27}}</ref> In April 2009, the Supreme court of South Korea sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment.<ref name="straitstimes">{{cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_336458.html|publisher=]|title=Cult head jailed for sex crimes|date=2009-02-10|accessdate=2009-02-10}}</ref> | ||
| Since founding his first church in Seoul, South Korea in 1980 Jung has developed his organization into a religious movement with churches in more than 50 different nations over the course of the past 30 years. He has also established organizations celebrating culture, peace, and the arts including the ] (GACP) and Peace Model.<ref name="Gospel of Providence">{{cite web|title=Gospel of Providence|url=http://www.GospelofProvidence.com|publisher=Providence (Religious Movement)}}</ref> | |||
| In 1999 Jung was accused of sexual assault and he was officially charged in 2001.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.npa.go.kr/eng/visitor/visitorView.jsp?seq=406| title=Visitor board| publisher=]| date=2005-07-04| accessdate=2008-02-27}}</ref> In 1999 He fled Korea and expanded his organization in Europe and various different regions in Asia. In May 2007 Jung was taken into custody by Chinese police and imprisoned in China for 10 months.<ref name="foxnews">{{cite news| url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,272712,00.html| title=Alleged South Korean Rape Cult Leader Arrested in China| publisher=]| date=2007-05-16| accessdate=2008-02-27}}</ref> | |||
| In January 2008, the ] tried Jung based on the testimonies of two young women.<ref name="yonhap">{{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=]| date=2008-02-23| accessdate=2008-02-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://nuri.donga.com/nurinews/view.php?k_id=200801110239&m=2|publisher=]|title=JMS 정명석씨, 신도 성폭행 6천만원 위자료 확정|date=2008-01-11|accessdate=2008-01-27}}</ref> In August 2008, Jung was convicted and sentenced to six years imprisonment. In April 2009, the Supreme court of South Korea extended the sentence to 10 years imprisonment.<ref name="Magazine Article: Retrial need for JMS" /> He is currently serving his sentence and still continues to publish proverbs, songs, books, as well as the Sunday and Wednesday sermons for Providence churches all over the world every week.<ref name="Christians on Trial Article">{{cite web|title=Christians on trial: Joshua Jeong Myung Seok|url=http://providencetrial.com/christians-on-trial-jeong-myeong-seok/|publisher=ProvidenceTrial.com|accessdate=22 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="Gospel of Providence" /> | |||
| ==Early biography== | ==Early biography== | ||
| Jung was born in ], ]. | |||
| and one daughter. According to him he began calling out to God at age 6 and attending the local church at 9 years old. His family were very poor farmers. Though his older brothers continued to learn on into high school, his parents pulled him out of school after completing the elementary years to work the fields complaining that it was too expensive to continue his basic education. | |||
| ⚫ | In the 1970s Jung was a member of the Unification Church, before breaking off to create the dissenting group<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.cnrs.fr/Cnrspresse/n400/html/en400foot03.htm| title=After the Moon sect: South Korea and indoctrination through the sacred game of football| publisher=]| last=Luca| first=Nathalie| month=March | year=2002| accessdate=2008-02-27}}</ref> now known as Providence around 1980 in South Korea.<ref name="guru">{{cite news|publisher=]|date=2006-08-03|title=Guru said to have raped prospective brides before mass weddings}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|publisher=]|date=2006-07-28|title=Concerns raised about cult led by fugitive}}</ref> | ||
| ]He spent all of his early years and teens up in the mountains until 1966, when he was drafted into his first term of service in the Vietnam war. After his first term he returned voluntarily to serve a second term, fulfilling two terms of duty in Vietnam (1966 to 1969). Once his service in Vietnam was complete he returned to his life of prayer and farming in his small hometown village.<ref name="Biography of Joshua Jeong Myeong Seok">{{cite web|title=History of the Founding of Providence Church|url=http://providencetrial.com/about-jeong-myung-seok/|publisher=providencetrial.com|accessdate=21 March 2011}}</ref> | |||
| ==Sexual abuse charges== | |||
| On June 1, 1978 he left his village at 34 years old and went to Seoul, South Korea. There he began his first church which over the course of the last 30 years has grown into the international religious movement known as, "Providence."<ref name="Biography of Joshua Jeong Myeong Seok"/> | |||
| In 1999, ] (SBS) in Korea reported about sexual abuse allegedly committed by Jung. According to former members, Jung had forced dozens of women to have sex with him, and said that they would go to hell if they told anyone what he had done.<ref>]. "2,000 Japanese join cult led by suspected sex offender on the run from Interpol". July 29, 2006.</ref> This resulted in Jung fleeing the country one day later.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/s2168234.htm| title=China extradites SKorea cult leader| publisher=]| date=2008-02-21| accessdate=2008-02-27}}</ref> He was officially charged in 2001.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.npa.go.kr/eng/visitor/visitorView.jsp?seq=406| title=Visitor board| publisher=]| date=2005-07-04| accessdate=2008-02-27}}</ref> Accusations also surfaced in other countries, and in November 2001 he was investigated by Taiwanese authorities causing him to flee Taiwan.<ref name="joongang" /> | |||
| In March 1982, he established MS Missionaries (Christian Gospel Mission today). The following November he graduated from Wesley Theological School.<ref name="Biography of Joshua Jeong Myeong Seok"/> | |||
| Jung was arrested in 2003 for illegal stay in Hong Kong but when released on bail, fled the extradition hearing.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.npa.go.kr/eng/visitor/visitorView.jsp?seq=167| title=Visitor Board| publisher=]| date=2003-09-21| accessdate=2006-11-21}}</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| publisher=]| date=2008-01-02| accessdate=2008-02-27}} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref> Following this, he managed to evade capture until May 2007 in China, despite being listed as wanted by ]. He was extradited back to South Korea on February 20, 2008.<ref name="iht">{{cite web| url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/20/asia/AS-GEN-SKorea-Cult-Leader.php| title=South Korean religious sect leader extradited from China to face rape charges| publisher=], ]| date=2008-02-20| accessdate=2008-02-27}}</ref> | |||
| In February 2001, he founded Christian Gospel Mission (CGM) Volunteer Group. During this period he also founded ] (GACP), which held large international assemblies to celebrate culture and the arts including modeling, fashion, cheer, and sports. He visited and helped establish the international Providence churches outside of Korea including ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="Biography of Joshua Jeong Myeong Seok"/><ref>{{cite web|title=GospelOfProvidence.com|url=http://gospelofprovidence.com}}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | In April 2006, a press conference was held by the anti-cult group ] in which four unidentified women accused Jung of organised sex crimes against themselves and other women<ref>{{cite news|date=2006-04-18|publisher=]|url=http://www.cnbnews.com/category/read.html?bcode=7019|title=“JMS 정명석 성폭행 계속...정부 뭐하나” 울분| accessdate=2006-11-21}} English: </ref> which necessitated medical treatment.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news| url=http://www.cnbnews.com/category/read.html?bcode=7019| title=“JMS 정명석 성폭행 계속...정부 뭐하나” 울분| accessdate=2007-01-20|publisher=]|date=2006-04-18}}</ref> | ||
| ⚫ | In the 1970s Jung was a member of the Unification Church, before breaking off to create the dissenting group |
||
| After nearly 9 years on the run,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/2008/02/21/143806/China-extradites.htm| title=China extradites chief of alleged S. Korean rapist cult| publisher=], ]| date=2008-02-21| accessdate=2008-02-27}}</ref> Jung was finally arrested by Chinese police in May 2007.<ref name=theaustralian>{{cite news| url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21732554-2703,00.html| title=Asian Cult Leader Arrested| publisher=]| date=2007-05-15|accessdate=2008-02-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,272712,00.html| title=Alleged South Korean Rape Cult Leader Arrested in China| publisher=]| date=2007-05-16| accessdate=2008-02-27}}</ref> Jung has also been charged with fraud and embezzlement of church funds.<ref name="joongang">{{cite web| url=http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2886496| title=Cult boss extradited to face sex raps| publisher=]| date=2008-02-21| accessdate=2008-02-27}}</ref> | |||
| ==Media broadcasts and news reports== | |||
| ⚫ | In 2008, in response to the rape allegations, Providence pastor Bae Jae-yong said that it was "distorted rumor that was created by the people who have slandered him" and that "all fundamental truth will be clarified by at the prosecutor's office".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tvscripts.edt.reuters.com/2008-02-20/82e8843.html|publisher=]|title=Reuters Television News|date=2008-02-20}} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref><ref name="iht"/> | ||
| In 1999, ] (SBS) in Korea reported about sexual abuse allegedly committed by Jung. This resulted in Jung fleeing the country one day later. He was officially charged in 2001. Accusations also surfaced in other countries, and in 2001 he was investigated by Taiwanese authorities causing him to flee Taiwan.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/s2168234.htm| title=China extradites SKorea cult leader| publisher=]| date=2008-02-21| accessdate=2008-02-27}}</ref> | |||
| In January 2008, the ] found that Jung forced two female followers to have sex with him as part of a religious purification ritual.<ref name="yonhap">{{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=]| date=2008-02-23| accessdate=2008-02-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://nuri.donga.com/nurinews/view.php?k_id=200801110239&m=2|publisher=]|title=JMS 정명석씨, 신도 성폭행 6천만원 위자료 확정|date=2008-01-11|accessdate=2008-01-27}}</ref> Providence followers started riots outside of newspapers that reported the court's verdict, forcing ] to temporarily shut down.<ref>]. January 17, 2008.</ref> | |||
| In August 2008, Jung was convicted of raping five of his followers and sentenced to six years imprisonment.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2008/08/13/200808130034.asp|publisher=]|title=JMS leader sentenced to 6 years|date=2008-08-13|accessdate=2008-08-15}}</ref> In April 2009, the Supreme court of South Korea sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_336458.html|publisher=]|title=Cult head jailed for sex crimes|date=2009-02-10|accessdate=2009-02-10}}</ref> | |||
| ⚫ | In April 2006, a press conference was held by ] in which four unidentified women accused Jung of organised sex crimes against themselves and other women<ref>{{cite news|date=2006-04-18|publisher=]|url=http://www.cnbnews.com/category/read.html?bcode=7019|title=“JMS 정명석 성폭행 계속...정부 뭐하나” 울분| accessdate=2006-11-21}} English: </ref> which necessitated medical treatment.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news| url=http://www.cnbnews.com/category/read.html?bcode=7019| title=“JMS 정명석 성폭행 계속...정부 뭐하나” 울분| accessdate=2007-01-20|publisher=]|date=2006-04-18}}</ref> |
||
| ⚫ | ==Jung’s teaching== | ||
| In January 2008, the ] found Jung guilty on two accounts of sexual abuse.<ref name="yonhap">{{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=]| date=2008-02-23| accessdate=2008-02-27}}</ref> | |||
| Jung's religion is seen as a serious problem in Korea and Japan<ref name=asahied/> and as one of Asia's most notorious cults.<ref name=theaustralian/> | |||
| ==Trial and Conviction== | |||
| Jung believes he has come to finish the incomplete message and mission of Jesus Christ, asserting that he is the Messiah and has the responsibility to save all mankind.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2007/05/117_2823.html| title=Suspect of Corrupt Cult Founder Arrested in China| publisher=]| date=2007-05-13| accessdate=2008-02-27 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070913080827/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2007/05/117_2823.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-09-13}}</ref> Jung claims that the ] doctrine of resurrection is false but that people can be saved through him.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/02/113_19368.html| title=Cult Leader Extradited to Korea| publisher=]| date=2008-02-21| accessdate=2008-02-27 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080401134040/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/02/113_19368.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2008-04-01}}</ref> | |||
| Jung's teachings are similar to the Unification church.<ref name="lovecult">{{cite news| title='Love' cult snares student|publisher=]|date=2002-10-27}}</ref> (See ], ].) The main differences are that: | |||
| ===Media broadcasts and news reports=== | |||
| #it identifies Jung as the Messiah (rather than ]) | |||
| When rape allegations against Jung from anonymous accusers surfaced, the news media broadcasts in Korea, Japan, and Taiwan as well as the articles printed in newspaper tabloids published the sensational material labeling Jung a criminal even before a formal accusation had been made and it labeled the organization of Providence as a cult. | |||
| #it teaches that original sin, originating in ]'s intercourse with ], can be defeated by intercourse with the Savior<ref>{{cite news|publisher=]| date=2008-02-20|accessdate=2008-02-29|title=STORY NUMBER: 554980|url=http://www.aptnvideo.net/pages/browse/player/player_frameset.jsp?item=83457}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|publisher=]|date=2006-07-27|title=South Korean cult merges sex with prayer| accessdate=2006-07-27}}</ref><ref>Mark Schreiber. "'Love' cult snares students". The Japan Times, October 27, 2002 </ref> | |||
| According to former members, marriages must be approved by Jung. Additionally, both partners must have been in Providence for at least three years, have read the Bible three times, and recruited three new members.<ref name="guru"/>{{Citation needed|date=February 2008}} | |||
| A monthly magazine, Civil Government, published an article under the title, “Why is JMS (CGM)’s President Jung Myung Seok carrying the cross?” and listed the problems of his trials, item by item. Cha, an active journalist who had been following the case and frequenting police stations for eleven years reported the following:{{cquote|A Media took an excerpt from a 1995 Sunday sermon entitled, “Life of Thanksgiving.” The Media modulated President Jung’s voice in the part where he says, ‘The tithe of life—evangelize one person out of ten’ to make it difficult to clearly hear what he actually says. Then the Media added a subtitle that read, ‘one woman,’ when it was aired. This quote inevitably made the viewers think President Jung Myung Seok to be a leader with sexual problems. Furthermore, when the Media aired the footage of the services or events of the organization, even though both males and females are shown in the original video, the Media edited the scenes so that only females would be visible. In this way, A Media gave the audience an impression that President Jung was a religious leader who dealt only with females.|30px|30px|Civil Government|''''}} | |||
| Jung encourages his followers to form non-religious organisations for the purpose of attracting young people without initially revealing the religious nature of the group or their real motives,<ref name=asahied>{{cite web| url=http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200608190106.html| title=Asahi Shimbun editorial: Another problem cult| accessdate=2006-12-19}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> in a practice which has been described as "fraudulent" by lawyers.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=]|title=Cult aimed at elite in 50 universities|date=2006-07-31}}</ref> | |||
| Jung's accusers refused to give their identity remaining unnamed and the journalists did not interview anyone from the church resulting in one sided reporting. The Media’s biased report was found to be legally wrongful at that time. In Korea, Providence church filed a suit against the Korean news and the court ruled in favor of the church, ordering the following: 1) the media must not use one-sided material provided by the informer and others; 2) the media must inform the organization 48 hours before broadcasting; 3) the media must guarantee 5% of the broadcasting time to so that their rebuttal will also be aired; 4) if these orders are violated, the media must pay damages in the amount of 30 million won (about the equivalent of $30,000) for each violation. The court decision acknowledging the media’s errors and biased reporting was not made widely known to viewers. But a similar case was filed in Taiwan and the Taiwanese news media that broadcasted the report made a public apology.<ref name="Magazine Article: Retrial need for JMS" /><ref name="Christians on Trial Artcle">{{cite web|last=Jeong|first=Joshua|title="Christians on Trial - Joshua Jung Myung Seok"|url=http://providencetrial.com/christians-on-trial-jeong-myeong-seok/|publisher=ProvidenceTrial.com|accessdate=Feb 6, 2011}}</ref> | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| ===Problems during Jung's trial=== | |||
| *] | |||
| The magazine Civil Government 02-15-2010 issue also reported several reasons to doubt the validity of the testimonies given by Jung's initial accusers during the trial, {{cquote|Plaintiff C, who filed the suit as co-plaintiffs and initially claimed that she was sexually assaulted, declared that she committed perjury, and she withdrew her suit. | |||
| *] | |||
| ... Plaintiff C completely denied the assault allegations. Even though the court warned her, saying ‘If your testimony differs from the contents of the complaint, you could be penalized,’ C clearly said, ‘I’m fine even if I will be penalized. The truth is that I was not sexually assaulted. Plaintiff D who filed the suit with me wasn’t raped or sexually assaulted either at all. But incited by the informer, she filed a false suit and has given false testimonies until now.’|30px|30px|Civil Government|''''}} | |||
| ===Response=== | |||
| ⚫ | In response to the rape allegations, Providence pastor Bae Jae-yong said that it was "distorted rumor that was created by the people who have slandered him" and that "all fundamental truth will be clarified by at the prosecutor's office". |
||
| ===Events in 2006 - 2007=== | |||
| In April 2006, a press conference was held by ] in which four unidentified women accused Jung of organised sex crimes against themselves and other women.<ref>{{cite news|date=2006-04-18|publisher=]|url=http://www.cnbnews.com/category/read.html?bcode=7019|title="JMS 정명석 성폭행 계속...정부 뭐하나" 울분| accessdate=2006-11-21}} English: </ref> which necessitated medical treatment.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news| url=http://www.cnbnews.com/category/read.html?bcode=7019| title="JMS 정명석 성폭행 계속...정부 뭐하나" 울분| accessdate=2007-01-20|publisher=]|date=2006-04-18}}</ref> But according to Cha, the journalist who investigated the case for 11 years, the "informer" played the role of filing complaints on behalf of the plaintiffs behind the scenes and even wrote a letter of confession apologizing to Jung Myung Seok in which he said, {{cquote| President Jeong, I deeply regret that I backstabbed you, defamed you by spreading scandals against you, and caused you a deep wound.|30px|30px|Civil Government|''''}} | |||
| The letter was hand-written by "the informer" himself, including his seal and photo. He even had the letter authenticated before he sent it to the Church’s central office. | |||
| The court relied only on the testimony of the plaintiffs and not on any evidence presented. It was revealed that the plaintiffs made up evidence to exaggerate and falsify. Even though it was exposed that the witnesses were unsavory enough to concoct evidence in an attempt to strengthen their argument, the judges accepted the charges brought by the plaintiffs.<ref name="Christians on Trial Article">{{cite web|last=Jeong|first=Joshua|title="Christians on Trial - Joshua Jung Myung Seok"|url=http://providencetrial.com/christians-on-trial-jeong-myeong-seok/|publisher=ProvidenceTrial.com|accessdate=Feb 6, 2011}}</ref> | |||
| ===Prison sentence and possibility of retrial=== | |||
| In August 2008, Jung was sentenced to six years imprisonment. In April 2009, the Supreme court of South Korea extended the sentence to 10 years imprisonment. In the event Jung’s side files a motion for retrial based on the new evidences or material that could reverse the previous finding, seeking acquittal, it is expected that this case may be placed at a stage where it seeks a new ruling through a retrial. However, since the prosecutor’s office and the court stand behind the accusations of the plaintiffs and the informer, with the court ruling in their favor, it is unknown whether this case can be reversed at retrial.<ref name="Magazine Article: Retrial need for JMS" /> | |||
| ⚫ | ==Jung’s |
||
| Upon his return from China, Jung began preaching that the most urgent thing for this time period is to prepare for the Lord's imminent second coming which Jung states will happen very soon. A common theme in Jung's sermons is that believers should prepare in their daily life of faith by maintaining a bride level relationship of spiritual love with the Lord as preached in the Matthew 25:1-13<ref name="Sunday Message Sermon: Prepare the Oil">{{cite web|title=Sunday Message Sermon: Prepare the Oil|url=http://gospelofprovidence.com/2009/03/prepare-the-oil/|work=Sunday Message Sermons preached in Providence Churches|publisher=gospelofprovidence.com|accessdate=March 1, 2009}}</ref> | |||
| Providence churches share many of the same doctrines as most Christian denominations. The difference is Providence doctrines interpret the prophecies pertaining to this time period more spiritually. Most traditional Christian churches interpret scripture to have literal meanings. But according to Jung's interpretation, scriptures referring to rapture, resurrection, advent, and even the Lord's second coming shouldn't only be understood to have only a literal physical meaning, but also a fundamental spiritual meaning. He also stresses that the Lord Jesus Christ will not come back in his physical body at the second coming, but will come in spirit and must be received in spirit.<ref name="Sunday Message Sermon by Joshua Jeong">{{cite web|last=Jeong|first=Joshua|title=Sermon: Listen to My Word and Believe in the One I Sent Then, a Great History Will Take Place|url=http://gospelofprovidence.com/2011/02/sun-msg-listen-to-my-word-and-believe-in-the-one-i-sent-then-a-great-history-will-take-place/|publisher=Gospel of Providence|accessdate=Feb 6, 2011}}</ref> | |||
| ===Current Situation=== | |||
| He is currently serving his sentence and still continues to publish proverbs, songs, books, as well as the Sunday and Wednesday message for Providence churches all over the world every week.<ref name="Christians on Trial Article" /> | |||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 86: | Line 57: | ||
| {{wikinews|Four Korean women accuse JMS leader Jeong Myeong-seok of rape}} | {{wikinews|Four Korean women accuse JMS leader Jeong Myeong-seok of rape}} | ||
| * Largest English Internet resource website on JMS (critical) | * Largest English Internet resource website on JMS (critical) | ||
| ⚫ | * | ||
| * - English language Providence related website authored by various members internationally | * - English language Providence related website authored by various members internationally | ||
| ⚫ | * | ||
| * | |||
| {{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ]. --> | {{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ]. --> | ||
Revision as of 11:13, 15 January 2013
| Jung Myung-seok | |
| Hangul | 정명석 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | 鄭明析 |
| Revised Romanization | Jeong Myeong(-)seok |
| McCune–Reischauer | Chŏng Myŏng-sŏk |
Template:Korean name Jung Myung-Seok (born February 3, 1945) is the founder of an international Christian religious movement Providence. He is also known by the names of Joshua Jung, and JMS. Since founding his first church in Seoul, South Korea in 1980 Jung has developed his organization into a religious movement. After rape allegations he fled Korea in 1999. Jung was finally arrested by Chinese police in May 2007. In April 2009, the Supreme court of South Korea sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment.
Early biography
Jung was born in Geumsan County, South Chungcheong.
In the 1970s Jung was a member of the Unification Church, before breaking off to create the dissenting group now known as Providence around 1980 in South Korea.
Sexual abuse charges
In 1999, Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) in Korea reported about sexual abuse allegedly committed by Jung. According to former members, Jung had forced dozens of women to have sex with him, and said that they would go to hell if they told anyone what he had done. This resulted in Jung fleeing the country one day later. He was officially charged in 2001. Accusations also surfaced in other countries, and in November 2001 he was investigated by Taiwanese authorities causing him to flee Taiwan.
Jung was arrested in 2003 for illegal stay in Hong Kong but when released on bail, fled the extradition hearing. Following this, he managed to evade capture until May 2007 in China, despite being listed as wanted by INTERPOL. He was extradited back to South Korea on February 20, 2008.
In April 2006, a press conference was held by the anti-cult group EXODUS in which four unidentified women accused Jung of organised sex crimes against themselves and other women which necessitated medical treatment.
After nearly 9 years on the run, Jung was finally arrested by Chinese police in May 2007. Jung has also been charged with fraud and embezzlement of church funds.
In 2008, in response to the rape allegations, Providence pastor Bae Jae-yong said that it was "distorted rumor that was created by the people who have slandered him" and that "all fundamental truth will be clarified by at the prosecutor's office".
In January 2008, the Supreme Court of South Korea found that Jung forced two female followers to have sex with him as part of a religious purification ritual. Providence followers started riots outside of newspapers that reported the court's verdict, forcing The Dong-a Ilbo to temporarily shut down.
In August 2008, Jung was convicted of raping five of his followers and sentenced to six years imprisonment. In April 2009, the Supreme court of South Korea sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment.
Jung’s teaching
Jung's religion is seen as a serious problem in Korea and Japan and as one of Asia's most notorious cults.
Jung believes he has come to finish the incomplete message and mission of Jesus Christ, asserting that he is the Messiah and has the responsibility to save all mankind. Jung claims that the Christian doctrine of resurrection is false but that people can be saved through him.
Jung's teachings are similar to the Unification church. (See Unification theology, Divine Principle.) The main differences are that:
- it identifies Jung as the Messiah (rather than Sun Myung Moon)
- it teaches that original sin, originating in Eve's intercourse with Satan, can be defeated by intercourse with the Savior
According to former members, marriages must be approved by Jung. Additionally, both partners must have been in Providence for at least three years, have read the Bible three times, and recruited three new members.
Jung encourages his followers to form non-religious organisations for the purpose of attracting young people without initially revealing the religious nature of the group or their real motives, in a practice which has been described as "fraudulent" by lawyers.
See also
References
- "Retrial needed for the case of Jung Myung Seok". Civil Government. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
{{cite journal}}:|first=missing|last=(help) - ^ "Asian Cult Leader Arrested". The Australian. 2007-05-15. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
- "Alleged South Korean Rape Cult Leader Arrested in China". Fox News. 2007-05-16. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
- "Cult head jailed for sex crimes". AFP. 2009-02-10. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
- Luca, Nathalie (2002). "After the Moon sect: South Korea and indoctrination through the sacred game of football". CNRS. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ "Guru said to have raped prospective brides before mass weddings". Asahi Shimbun. 2006-08-03.
- "Concerns raised about cult led by fugitive". Asahi Shimbun. 2006-07-28.
- Asahi Shinbun. "2,000 Japanese join cult led by suspected sex offender on the run from Interpol". July 29, 2006.
- "China extradites SKorea cult leader". Radio Australia. 2008-02-21. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
- "Visitor board". Korean National Police Agency. 2005-07-04. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
- ^ "Cult boss extradited to face sex raps". JoongAng Ilbo. 2008-02-21. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
- "Visitor Board". Korean National Police Agency. 2003-09-21. Retrieved 2006-11-21.
- "Accused rapist cult leader faces extradition to Korea". News Limited. 2008-01-02. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
- ^ "South Korean religious sect leader extradited from China to face rape charges". International Herald Tribune, AP. 2008-02-20. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
- ""JMS 정명석 성폭행 계속...정부 뭐하나" 울분". CNB News. 2006-04-18. Retrieved 2006-11-21. English:
- ""JMS 정명석 성폭행 계속...정부 뭐하나" 울분". CNB News. 2006-04-18. Retrieved 2007-01-20.
- "China extradites chief of alleged S. Korean rapist cult". AFP, The China Post. 2008-02-21. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
- "Alleged South Korean Rape Cult Leader Arrested in China". Fox News. 2007-05-16. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
- "Reuters Television News". Reuters. 2008-02-20.
- "Religious sect leader formally arrested on rape charges". Yonhap. 2008-02-23. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
- "JMS 정명석씨, 신도 성폭행 6천만원 위자료 확정". DongA. 2008-01-11. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
- Chosun Ilbo. 언론계에 'JMS 공포' January 17, 2008.
- "JMS leader sentenced to 6 years". Korea Herald. 2008-08-13. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
- "Cult head jailed for sex crimes". AFP. 2009-02-10. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
- ^ "Asahi Shimbun editorial: Another problem cult". Retrieved 2006-12-19.
- "Suspect of Corrupt Cult Founder Arrested in China". The Korea Times. 2007-05-13. Archived from the original on 2007-09-13. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
- "Cult Leader Extradited to Korea". The Korea Times. 2008-02-21. Archived from the original on 2008-04-01. Retrieved 2008-02-27.
- "'Love' cult snares student". Japan Times. 2002-10-27.
- "STORY NUMBER: 554980". Associated Press Television News. 2008-02-20. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
- "South Korean cult merges sex with prayer". Crisscross News. 2006-07-27.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - Mark Schreiber. "'Love' cult snares students". The Japan Times, October 27, 2002
- "Cult aimed at elite in 50 universities". Asahi Shimbun. 2006-07-31.
External links
- jmscult.com Largest English Internet resource website on JMS (critical)
- Providence Trial - English language Providence related website authored by various members internationally
- Apologetics Index - Jung Myung Seok entry
- Freedom of Mind Center