"Court Holds World Mission Society Church of God Responsible for Marital Breakdowns in Multiple Divorce Rulings"

In a series of rulings, courts have held wives who neglected their families or left home due to their devotion to the World Mission Society Church of God (formerly known as Ahnsahnghong Witness Association) responsible for marital breakdowns.

On August 15, Judge Lee Eun-jung of the Seoul Family Court ruled in favor of husband A in his divorce case against wife B, stating, "The responsibility for the breakdown of the marriage lies with the wife, who abandoned her family and left home due to her deep involvement in the religion." The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff (husband A).

According to court records, wife B married husband A in 2005 but began attending the World Mission Society Church of God in March 2010, leading to conflicts with her husband. B left home in March 2011, leaving behind her two young children, claiming her husband interfered with her religious freedom. B demanded that A pay off her credit card debt and respect her religious freedom as conditions for returning home. While A gave her 3 million KRW to settle the debt, B refused to return and ceased contact with her husband. A subsequently filed for divorce. During the legal proceedings, in October last year, B took one of their children from school without consulting A.

Judge Lee stated, "It is evident based on common sense that husband A suffered mental distress due to the breakdown of the marriage." The court ordered B to pay 10 million KRW in damages to A. The court also awarded custody of the two children to A and instructed B to pay monthly child support of 300,000 KRW per child.

In a similar case, Judge Jung Ji-hoon of the Cheongju District Family Court ruled in favor of husband C in his divorce case against wife D. The court found wife D responsible for the marital breakdown due to her neglect of household responsibilities and childcare while attending the World Mission Society Church of God, as well as her unauthorized personal use of her retirement funds and compensation payments.

D, who married C in 2007, began attending the church in 2008. Husband C opposed D’s attendance, citing disagreement with the church’s teachings, which worship Ahnsahnghong and Jang Gil-ja as God. Despite this, D attended church every Tuesday and Saturday, often leaving their two young children at home and neglecting housework, such as cleaning and dishwashing, which she shifted to her husband.

In September 2012, D promised C she would stop attending the church but broke this promise and resumed her participation. She also spent 61 million KRW in retirement and compensation funds without consulting her husband. Husband C, already struggling to repay 38 million KRW in loans, was deeply disappointed and questioned whether D had donated the money to the church. When pressed, D failed to provide a clear explanation. The couple eventually separated, and C filed for divorce. Judge Jung awarded custody of the two children to husband C and ordered D to pay monthly child support of 200,000 KRW per child.

Church Denies Allegations of Family Neglect

Meanwhile, the World Mission Society Church of God claimed in a July lawsuit against Kukmin Ilbo that "no female members of the church have abandoned their families or divorced due to their religious involvement."

Special Investigative Team

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