{
  "id": 15565336,
  "title": "Religious sect leader sentenced to 33 years in prison for sexual assault",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/religious-sect-leader-sentenced-to-33-years-in-prison-for-sexual-15565336",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-19T05:42:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/law-crime/20261019/religious-sect-leader-sentenced-to-33-yrs-in-prison-for-sexual-assault"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A religious sect leader, Jeong Myeong-seok, has been sentenced to 33 years in prison for sexually assaulting female followers, according to prosecutors. The Daejeon District Court's ruling on Monday exceeded the 27-year sentence requested by the prosecution, marking his latest conviction for sexual assault. Between 2018 and 2022, Jeong, 81, allegedly sexually assaulted or molested 16 female members of the Jesus Morning Star (JMS) sect, using brainwashing techniques to render them unable to resist. The court deemed the crimes malicious and emphasized the long-term nature of the offenses, resulting in a severe sentence. Jeong will also wear an electronic tracking device for 15 years and be prohibited from working at children, adolescent, or disabled facilities for 10 years. He is currently serving a 17-year prison term after the Supreme Court finalized a ruling in January 2025 for a previous conviction.",
  "summary": "A local district court on Monday sentenced the leader of the religious sect Jesus Morning Star (JMS) to a 33-year prison term on charges of sexually assaulting female followers. The Daejeon District Court handed down the punishment for Jeong Myeong-seok, 81, longer than the 27 years requested by the prosecution, in his latest conviction for sexual assault. Jeong had been indicted on charges of…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Religious sect leader sentenced to 33 yrs in prison for sexual assault",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/religious-sect-leader-sentenced-to-33-yrs-in-prison-for-sexual-assault",
        "published": "2026-10-19T04:41:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Religious sect leader sentenced to 33 years in prison for sexual assault",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/religious-sect-leader-sentenced-to-33-years-in-prison-for-sexual",
        "published": "2026-10-19T05:12:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}