Jung Myung-seok
Jung Myung-seok | |
|---|---|
 Jung Myung-seok, founder of Providence | |
| Born | March 16, 1945 |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Other names | Jeong Myeong-seok, Joshua Jung |
| Occupation | Religious leader |
| Known for | Founder of Providence |
| Criminal charges | Sexual assault |
| Criminal penalty | 10-year imprisonment |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Jeong Myeong-seok |
| McCune–Reischauer | Chŏng Myŏng-sŏk |
Jung Myung-seok (Korean: 정명석; Hanja: 鄭明析) is a South Korean religious leader and convicted rapist. He is the founder and leader of Providence, also known as Christian Gospel Mission (CGM) or Jesus Morning Star (JMS),[1][2] a Christian new religious movement that is commonly referred to as a Christian sect or cult.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Jung is a self-proclaimed messiah.[10][6] He founded Providence in 1980 and the religious group is headquartered in Wol Myeong-dong, South Korea,[8] and the group has since expanded to Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia and other countries.[11]
In April 2009, the leader Jung Myung-seok was convicted of rape by the Supreme Court of Korea and was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. Jung was released on 18 February 2018.[12] He was again indicted in South Korea on October 28, 2023, for sexually assaulting a follower from Hong Kong and sexually abusing an Australian follower.[13]
He is also known by the names of Joshua Jung, Joshua Lee and Pastor Joshua.[14]
Early life
Jung Myung-seok was born in 1945.
References
- ^ "South Korean religious sect leader jailed for rape". Reuters. August 12, 2008. Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
- ^ "South Korean religious leader accused of 'quasi-raping' Hong Kong woman". South China Morning Post. October 5, 2022. Archived from the original on December 19, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
- ^ "On a mission from God: South Korea's many cults". France 24. November 22, 2018. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
- ^ Ser, Myo-ja (August 12, 2008). "JMS cult leader is convicted of rape". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
- ^ "Cult Leader Extradited to Korea". The Korea Times. February 21, 2008. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
- ^ a b "Sex, cults and the bizarre world of Providence leader Jeong Myeong-seok". ABC News. December 10, 2017. Archived from the original on August 14, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
- ^ "Sect targets Kiwi brides for rapist". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
- ^ a b "South Korea: A cult history". TODAY. November 4, 2016. Archived from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
- ^ "韩国邪教教主郑明析在华落网" [Korean Cult Leader Zheng Mingxi Arrested in China]. China Daily. May 23, 2007. Archived from the original on March 7, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
- ^ Callick, Rowan (May 15, 2007). "Asian cult leader arrested". culteducation.com. The Australian. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
- ^ Turner-Cohen, Alex (September 8, 2022). "Melbourne woman speaks out about alleged ordeal on church-funded trip". News Corp Australia.
- ^ "The cult that's infiltrated NZ schools, campuses and churches". NOTED. Archived from the original on October 7, 2018. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
- ^ "Top Prosecutor Calls for Best Efforts to Punish Cult Leader for Abuse". KBS World. March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
- ^ Cubby, Ben (March 10, 2007). "Claims sect using social groups to recruit members". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2013.