SEOUL – An appellate court in Seoul has confirmed a five-year prison sentence for a pastor, identified by his surname Chun, for the sexual assault of teenage North Korean defectors.
According to Yonhap News Agency, The Seoul High Court’s decision comes after Chun, formerly the principal of an alternative school, was found guilty of sexually assaulting six teenagers on eight occasions between 2016 and 2023 in the school’s dormitory. The court also mandated that Chun undergo 80 hours of a sexual abuse treatment program and imposed a five-year employment ban at child-related facilities.
During the proceedings, the court criticized Chun for exploiting his position of significant influence over vulnerable North Korean defectors and their children. The severity of the sentence reflects the court's consideration of Chun's denial of the charges and his lack of remorse. Previously lauded as "Asia's Schindler" for aiding over 1,000 North Koreans to flee since 1999, Chun's case has attracted considerable attention due to the stark contrast between his past accolades and the nature of his crimes.