"Supreme Court Confirms Ruling That World Mission Society Church of God Advocated Doomsday Predictions and Encouraged Divorce and Family Abandonment"

The Supreme Court has upheld a ruling that the World Mission Society Church of God (formerly the Witnesses of Ahnsahnghong) promoted doomsday prophecies and had doctrines that encouraged divorce and abandonment of family responsibilities.

On the 17th, the Supreme Court’s Second Division, presided over by Justice Cho Hee-dae, dismissed the prosecution’s appeal, stating, “A review of the records confirms that the lower court’s acquittal was correct and did not violate the principles of logic or experience, nor did it misinterpret the legal principles related to defamation.”

In April 2014, four victims of the World Mission Society Church of God, including Kang Geun-byeong (46), protested in front of the church in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. They shouted slogans such as, “Mother God Jang Gil-ja, who came to save the world! The World Mission Society Church of God, which predicted the end of the world in 1988, 1999, and 2012, has caused countless families to face crises of abandonment and divorce.” They were later charged with defamation.

However, the first trial court acquitted all four defendants, citing the principle of religious criticism, which combines freedom of religion and freedom of expression. The court ruled that “freedom of speech for religious purposes is granted a higher degree of protection than general forms of speech.” It also noted that the expressions referencing doomsday predictions, family abandonment, divorce crises, asset donations, and child abuse were not falsehoods.

The appellate court upheld the acquittal, further emphasizing that “the doctrines and activities of the church are being pointed to as causes for family neglect and abandonment by many individuals who attended the church or had spouses who were members.” The court criticized the church’s teachings and practices.

With the victims’ final victory, the Supreme Court has now ruled against the church in a total of six cases.

Kang stated, “The World Mission Society Church of God promoted doomsday prophecies and filed over 30 lawsuits against victims to cover it up. This Supreme Court ruling is significant as it explicitly acknowledges the doctrines and activities of the church that encourage divorce and abandonment.”

Jin Yong-sik, president of the Korean Christian Heresy Counseling Center, commented, “This ruling enables broader criticism of the church’s promotion of doomsday prophecies, encouragement of divorce and abandonment, forced asset donations, and child abuse. Pastors in Korean churches must conduct thorough preventive education to ensure that good citizens are not drawn into such anti-social religious groups.”

Reporter Baek Sang-hyeon
Email: 100sh@kmib.co.kr

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