South Korean Cult Leader Convicted of Rape – A Scandal That Shocked the Nation
Pastor Lee Jaerock, a once‑prominent figure in Seoul’s religious scene, has been handed a 15‑year prison sentence for the shocking crime of raping eight female followers over a period that spanned years. The court’s judgment revealed that these women were forced into sexual abuse by a man who claimed divine authority, turning the church into a breeding ground for manipulation and crime.
How the Cult Grew from a Tiny Congregation to a Mega‑Church
Lee started the Manmin Central Church in 1982 with a modest dozen members in a struggling part of Seoul. Fast forward to today: the church boasts a staggering 130,000 regulars, a massive headquarters, and a glossy website brimming with miracle‑cure claims. His rise mirrors a cultural trend where faith acts as both spiritual shelter and, sometimes, a conduit for exploitation.
The #MeToo Wave Hits the South Korean Religious Community
- Three former members publicly exposed Lee’s abuse, stoking nationwide outrage during the country’s #MeToo movement.
- They recounted being summoned to a private apartment, coerced into sexual acts, and forcibly made to appear as if they were “in Heaven” or “naked in Eden” under Lee’s twisted narratives.
- Despite initial denial and legal defense, the court found Lee’s actions to be repeated rapes and molestations, “tens of times” over a long stretch.
The Judge’s Verdict: Divine Deception Unmasked
The Seoul Central District Court judge, Chung Moon-sung, hammered home that Lee’s sermons effectively handed out the belief that he was a divine being. The victims, “unable to resist” due to Lee’s supposed holy authority, were tragically victimized.
Fellow Worshippers React – Quiet Sighs & Breaking Free
- The courtroom overflowed with about a hundred followers, some quietly sighing in resignation.
- After the verdict, former church members openly criticized Lee, showing that they no longer worshipped him or his alleged powers.
- One apostate, Kim Yu-sun, declared her shift: “Now that I go to a different church, I worship Jesus and pray to God. I’m happy and I like it.”
Why South Korea Embraces Strong‑Themed Religious Groups
With 41% of the population identifying as Catholic or Protestant and another 16% identifying as Buddhist, South Korea owns one of the most densely religious societies in the world. Yet, this fervor also cultivates fringe cults – reportedly around 60 individuals claim to be divine “second comings” and fourteen are other charismatic leaders.
These cults thrive on promises of spiritual and material prosperity, which resonates in a society that is fiercely competitive and status‑driven. Mainstream megachurches, often mired in corruption, sometimes fuel go‑to cults that proclaim themselves pure and untainted.
Historical Context & Past Tragedies
- 1987: The Odaeyang group’s 32 members died in a mysterious murder‑suicide at its headquarters—a grim reminder of cult dangers.
- More recently, the political scandal involving Choi Soon‑Sil—the wife of former President Park Geun‑Hye—brought to light how church leaders actively influence national politics. Choi’s father, Choi Tae‑min, founded a church blending Buddhism, Christianity, and shamanism.
In the end, Lee’s confinement to a 15‑year prison term is a reminder that abuses of religious power do not go unchecked. As South Korea navigates its deeply devotional culture, it also faces the sobering reality that faith can sometimes morph into a dangerous, manipulative force.
