60-Something Pseudo-Religious Leader Indicted for Sexually Assaulting Stepdaughter, Followers

Published January 23, 2026 By admin

A 60-something leader of a pseudo-religious group who referred to himself as a “god” and habitually sexually assaulted female followers, including his stepdaughter, has been indicted. He was also found to have mobilized a current public official to track down defectors.

The Jeonju District Prosecutors’ Office Namwon Branch announced on the 23rd that the leader, A (68), was arrested and indicted on charges including violation of the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes (forced indecency in a familial relationship), quasi-rape, false accusation, and violation of the Personal Information Protection Act. The prosecution also indicted without detention two others: follower B (42) and public official C (53, female), who illegally accessed victims’ personal information under A’s orders.

According to the prosecution, A committed quasi-rape against follower D (54, female) from July 2023 to March of last year and habitually forced indecency on his stepdaughter E (31) between January and April of last year.

A orchestrated organized secondary harm when victims left the group or filed complaints. After D defected, he ordered B and C to locate her address. Public official C illegally used a government system to obtain D’s address and relay it to A. A brainwashed followers by declaring, “I am a god,” preventing resistance before committing crimes.

Additionally, upon learning E had filed a sexual crime complaint against him, A counter-sued her for false accusation in December of last year. The prosecution added the false accusation charge, deeming such actions by perpetrators against victims as severe secondary harm.

Initially referred by police as a sexual violence case, the prosecution’s supplementary investigation revealed the full scope. Using scientific techniques like Supreme Prosecutors’ Office statement analysis, they confirmed victims’ credibility and exposed A’s inhumane crimes exploiting religious trust.

The prosecution detained A on the 6th and requested an electronic monitoring order due to reoffending risks. They also linked victims with the Crime Victim Support Center for psychological treatment. A source from the Namwon Branch emphasized, “We will strictly respond to crimes harming society under the guise of religion and do our utmost to protect citizens.”

Content retrieved from: https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2026/01/23/S54UJUJDCNEDFL6LANB7KDLCUM/.