A dismal country where the documentary exposing the cult JMS is being treated as ‘obscene’… A bizarre sword of the prosecution and police towards ‘I Am a God’

Rev. Jung Myung Seok, the leader of the Christian Gospel Mission Church (JMS). Photo | Netflix

“When Netflix documentary ‘I Am God’ (2023) was released, it caused quite a stir. It was the moment when the true nature of Rev. Jung Myung Seok, the leader of the Christian Gospel Mission Church (JMS), was exposed. His sexual misconduct was so gruesome that it was difficult to watch the entire video in one sitting. On the one hand, it raised questions as to why it took so long for his actions to be revealed,” “The problem lies in the fact that his criminal acts were able to remain hidden within the confines of the ‘church.’ The segment on Rev. Jung Myung Seok starts with testimony from a sexual assault victim. Along with a criminal complaint, a press conference was held exposing Jung Myung Seok’s sexual violence, featuring an interview with Maple, a Hong Kong national. Jung Myung Seok served a 10-year prison sentence for rape and other charges in 2008 and was released in 2018. There were speculations that he would repeat his sexual violence even after his release, but Maple’s press conference was the first testimony revealing the truth.”

Maple, a woman from Hong Kong and a victim of the Christian Gospel Mission Church (JMS), openly revealed her face and voice, expressing her desire to prevent further victims from emerging. She also provided audio recordings detailing the abuses she suffered. Photo | Netflix

“Maple faced ongoing threats from JMS after deciding to press charges against Jung Myung Seok. When she flew from Hong Kong to Korea for the lawsuit and press conference, there were cars trailing her. The production team noticed this and approached the parked car, knocking on the window to inquire about their identity, but the individuals in the car avoided the camera and remained unresponsive. This scene highlighted that Jung Myung Seok still wields influence over his followers and serves as a stark reminder that despite his numerous sexual offenses, he could potentially commit further crimes.”

‘I Am God’. Photo | Netflix

“While there were elements of controversy regarding its explicit nature, it is undeniable that the production depicted the victims’ nudity in a straightforward manner while handling the allegations of Jung Myung Seok’s past sexual offenses,” “‘I Am God,’ which was rated as unsuitable for minors, featured scenes that could not be shown on terrestrial television. Among them was a recurrent scene in the documentary where female believers confront Jung Myung Seok about his ‘sexual visions,’ speaking to the camera saying, ‘Lord, you must be tired?’ and ‘Join us for a steam bath,’ which led to criticism of victimizing the survivors.”

“The discomfort may arise from the unfiltered portrayal of reality. The team believed that showing the facts as they were is crucial, as the events depicted in the documentary were only a fraction of the actual incidents. The producer emphasized that even their team struggled after shooting, understanding that some viewers might find it uncomfortable due to the graphic content.”

“Ultimately, this serves a public interest. Especially considering the numerous women who were sexually exploited by pseudo-religions, showing the reality as it is rather than reenacting or merely describing the events can help clarify the truth of the case and reduce misunderstandings.”

“Regarding the alleged seductive nature of the scenes, it is important to note that even if there are provocative aspects, it falls within the realm of critique and should not be subject to legal consequences. If such depictions were to be criminally punished, it would severely infringe on freedom of the press.”

Rev. Jung Myung Seok of the Christian Gospel Mission Church (JMS) has been exposed, and Rev. Kim Kyung-chun, who spent 30 years in the church and rose to the position of deputy chief, succinctly summed up the true nature of JMS. He did not hesitate to reveal his face on Netflix’s ‘I Am God’ to expose the injustices and misdeeds of JMS. Photo | CBS

“With the release of ‘I Am God,’ some have come forward to repent for their involvement with JMS. Rev. Kim Kyung-chun, who spent 30 years in the church and rose to the position of deputy chief, expressed deep remorse for his failure to protect the JMS victims and acknowledged that he had unknowingly led them into the pitfall of such crimes,” “He passionately expressed his self-reflection on being an accomplice in misleading others.”

“Rev. Kim was an early member of JMS, serving as the head of public relations, education, and deputy chief for 30 years. However, after leaving in 2009, he operated the Canaan Cafe on Naver, sharing testimonies of victims and shedding light on the internal reality.”

“Therefore, the notion that the prosecution and police should investigate the producers of ‘I Am God,’ who exposed the truth rather than JMS itself, is nonsensical. In fact, there are even discussions suggesting that the law enforcement agencies are overly lenient towards JMS. To gain applause from the authorities, the focus should be on those who expose the deceitful practices of such pseudo-religions. There are still individuals suffering because of these groups and it is crucial to address their needs.” [socool@sportsseoul.com]

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