Ex-officer who helped JMS founder destroy evidence gets 1-year prison term

A former police officer who helped destroy evidence during the investigation into sexual assault allegations against Jung Myung-seok, head of the Christian Gospel Mission known as JMS, was sentenced to one year in prison Thursday.

Judge Kang Myeon-gu of the Seongnam Branch of Suwon District Court handed down the sentence against the former officer, identified only as A, on charges of inciting evidence destruction.

The court did not detain A in the courtroom, however, citing sufficient evidence already secured and no risk of flight.

Finding A guilty on all counts, Judge Kang said the defendant "actively assisted Jung's side in destroying evidence, and the destruction was in fact carried out as instructed, making it difficult to uncover the truth and obstructing the investigation."

The judge added that while A bore heavy responsibility as a police officer, mitigating factors included his clean record and his belated acknowledgment of wrongdoing.

A, who held a team-leader position at a police station, was indicted on charges of joining a video conference with JMS officials in April 2022 after sexual assault allegations against Jung surfaced. He helped persuade church members to replace their mobile phones to destroy evidence of the crimes.

He drew on his investigative experience to advise on how to eliminate evidence. Jung's aides and others were found to have followed through by replacing their phones.

A was dismissed from the force after the case came to light.

Meanwhile, Jung had his 17-year prison sentence for raping female followers confirmed by the Supreme Court in January 2025. He has since been indicted on additional charges and is now standing trial at Daejeon District Court.

In a separate case being heard alongside that trial, Jung also faces charges of selling spring water from Wolmyeong-dong in Geumsan-gun, South Chungcheong Province — marketed to followers as so-called "Wolmyeong water" — as a commercial product.