User:Phoenix0316/sandbox/Providence

Providence (Officially: Christian Gospel Mission) is a Christian new religious movement founded by Jung Myung-seok in 1980 as a schismatic group from the Unification Church, and was formerly associated with Methodism. Most of its members live in South Korea. Providence has been widely referred to by the media as a cult.

Following accusations against him by South Korean police of rape, fraud, and embezzlement, Jung fled the country in 1999 and lived as a fugitive in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China before being arrested by Chinese police in May 2007. In April 2009, the Supreme Court of South Korea sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment.

The sect has also been called Jesus Morning Star (JMS), Setsuri ("Providence" in Japanese), International Christian Association (ICA), the Morning Star Church (MS Church), the Bright Moon Church, and Ae-chun Church (애천교회).

History
Jung Myung-seok was born in in Geumsan County, South Chungcheong on February 17, 1945. He is also known by the names of Joshua Jung, Joshua Lee and Pastor Joshua.(선생님). In the 1970s he was a member of the Unification Church, whose teachings have been alleged to resemble Jung's "quite closely". In 1980, Jung founded the Ae-chun Church (애천교회), which was affiliated with the Methodist Church. The church was later expelled from the Methodists and he changed its name to the International Christian Association (국제크리스천연합) in the mid 1980s. In October 1999 the organization changed its name to Christian Gospel Mission (기독교복음선교회).

Sexual abuse allegations in the media
The Providence sex scandal received wide public attention following Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS)'s exposé, broadcast in March 1999. Over 100 alleged victims were contacted for information in the making of this TV news magazine series. JMS (as Providence was known then) countered with lawsuits to suppress the broadcast, libel litigation, and an organized two-month barrage of phone calls.

The broadcast resulted in Jung fleeing the country one day later. Jung would live freely outside of Korea for the next 7 years, until apprehended by the Chinese authorities in 2006, and repatriated to Korea the following year.

Sexual abuse allegation continued to surface against Jung overseas, in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan, and other locations. The SBS television news magazine, "The Unanswered" (그것이 알고 싶다, literally: "I Want to Know it") followed with additional episodes covering Jung's activities abroad. In one episode, SBS reported how female members of Providence had been flown to and held against their will at Jung's hideout in Anshan in the Chinese province Liaoning on the border to Korea. One 28-year-old Korean who in April 2005 managed to escape, confided how she was sexually violated multiple times by Jung.

In Japan, there were 2,000 Providence members as of 2006, almost entirely students and graduates of prestigious colleges, and 60% women. During his soujourns in Japan, Jung summoned upwards of 10 women on an almost daily basis, and under the false pretext of running a "health check" would have improper sexual encounters with them. Jung's aides are said to have imposed strict secrecy of these encounters with Jung, threatening the women with condemnation to hell if they told anyone what he had done.

In Taiwan too, similar incidents have been reported, where many female members of his organization were ordered to undress for a "health check", be subjected various forms of sexual abuse, including having sex with him to wipe off their sins.

In April 2006, a press conference was held by the anti-Providence group EXODUS in which four unidentified women wearing bucket hats and surgical masks covering their faces, accused Jung of organised sex crimes against themselves and other women, who required medical treatment.

Jung denied the charges, his followers said. In 2008, in response to the rape allegations, Providence pastor Bae Jae-yong said that it was a "distorted rumor that was created by the people who have slandered [Jung]" and that "all fundamental truth will be clarified by [Jung] at the prosecutor's office".

In 2015, the Yonhap Television Network (YTN), a 24 hour news network based in South Korea, officially retracted information it had broadcast about Jung Myeong Seok and the Christian Gospel Mission between May and July of 2014. The news station had originally claimed that Jung had 'stowed away' and that 'he accepted sexual favors as bribes from female members'. YTN later verified the facts and published a correction statement stating that its earlier reporting was not factual. The correction statement stated that the sexual assault charges were dismissed by the prosecutors involved, and that his travel outside of Korea was lawful. YTN's corrections also stated that the sexual bribe charges were dropped by prosecutors.

According to allegations by Ex-Providence members, as of 2012, some 500 to over 1,000 women members were still being groomed for future sexual exploitation by Jung. Known internally as the "Evergreens", these female members are said to comprise a "reserve corps" for "sex bribes" , a term for sexual favors accorded to those exercising power. The "Evergreens" are educated and handled by 10 women in Providence's leadership. Jo Gyeong-suk, former head of the group's Seoul branch and herself an alleged victim, stated salvation through sexual union with Jung was part of its canon. The accusers added that Providence leader Jung, even while serving sentence in prison, is supplied with profiles of candidates with photographs from which he selects women to be inducted as "Evergreens".

Civil lawsuits and criminal conviction
Providence leader Jung fled Korea after SBS reported the sexual abuse he allegedly committed by Jung. However, he was not officially charged until 2001. At the end of the trial in 2002, a male witness who had testified that there was no sexual exploitation from 1993-4 was found guilty of perjury, and received a 1-year prison sentence. Additionally, SBS was found to have committed certain broadcast infractions against the CGM, and was prevented from airing the broadcast in question again.

In 2001, Jung was investigated by Taiwanese authorities on charges of sexual assault, but he left the country. Jung, having been wanted by Interpol since 2002, was arrested in Hong Kong in July 2003 for overstaying his visa, but was released three days later on a HK$10,000,000 (US$1,3 million ) bail. When Hong Kong authorities approved extradition to Korea, Jung fled the extradition hearing. An Interpol Red Notice was issued on Jung in 2004. In 2006, South Korean authorities put Jung on an international wanted list on rape charges, and after learning that Jung had fled to China, the South Korean government officially asked China in November 2006 to extradite him.

A South Korean woman and a Japanese woman filed a criminal suit in 2003 against Jung for raping them. In January 2008, the Supreme Court of South Korea awarded the two females (US$52000 ) and  (US$10400) in damages for rape. The court said Jung forced the followers to have sex with him, saying that it is a religious behavior meant to save their souls. Providence followers started riots outside of newspapers that reported the court's verdict, broke into the Seoul office of the leading newspaper The Dong-a Ilbo trashing office furniture, and demanded the removal of articles critical of Jung.

After about 8 years on the run, Chinese Ministry of Public Security announced that Jung had been arrested in Beijing by Chinese police on May 1, 2007. ruled in September 2007 to extradite Jung, a decision upheld by the Supreme People's Court. He was extradited back to South Korea to stand charges on February 20, 2008. Jung was also charged with fraud and embezzlement of church funds.

In the criminal case heard by the, former members told the court that Jung was provided with female members of his sect as "gifts", and he would then have sex them on a religious pretext. Reportedly Jung would be shown photographs of female members of his church, and once he chooses his "sexual gift", she would be conveyed to his place of stay outside Korea.

In August 2008, Jung was convicted for raping female followers and sentenced by the Seoul Central District court to six years imprisonment. On February 10, 2009, the added four years to the district court's sentence of six years, overturning one of the lower court's acquittals and finding Jung guilty on a total of four counts of rape. Jung appealed his 10 years imprisonment sentence to the Supreme Court of South Korea, but the sentence was upheld in April 2009.

One of the sexually assaulted women subsequently filed a civil lawsuit against Jung. In its verdict in November 2009 ruled that "the plaintiff's right to bodily integrity was violated and she suffered psychological pain as a result of the sexual violence of defendant... The defendant is obligated to compensated plaintiff for her pain." and that Jung should pay in compensation.

Theology
Providence's teachings are similar to those of the "Divine Principle" of the Unification Church, Its teachings, like the Divine Principle, are based on Biblical interpretation. The key beliefs of Providence are contained in a series of unpublished precepts called the 30 Lessons. According to one researcher, nine of the 30 lessons exhibit a "considerable level of resemblance" with the Divine Principle. One lesson implies that those who do not "meet" him will not go to Heaven; another that any who betray him are committing a grave crime. During the instruction of the advanced level of the 30 Lessons, Jung is taught to be the Messiah, proven through the interpretation of prophesied dates and times in the book of Daniel. Although, more recent statements from a representative seems to contradict this claim.

Like the Unification Church, Providence preaches the advent of the "Completed Testament Era". Providence furthermore allegorize the relationship between God and man to that between the groom and bride, or two lovers. While both Unification Church and Providence teach that Original sin was caused by Eve intercourse with the fallen angel turned Satan, Providence teaches this can be redeemed by having sex with Jung Myung-seok.

Jung was found to have forced female followers to have sex with him "as a religious behavior meant to save their souls" in the Korean Court of Law. Former members have stated or testified that young and attractive women were presented to Jung as "sexual gifts", with whom he coercibly engaged in the sexual act, which was explained to them as a purification rite.

Scholars such as who analyzed and summarized the sect's beliefs, relied on documented testimonies as well as interviews with ex-members that included victims. He also obtained notes from ex-members which were used as instructions in the 30 lessons teachings.

Secular organisations
Jung encourages his followers to form non-religious organizations for the purpose of attracting young people without initially revealing the religious nature of the group. One of the non-religious organizations is the Bright Smile Movement, which campaigned during the 2002 World Cup in Korea to show to foreigners that Korea is a nation of happy people. .

A Japanese Supreme Court ruled that the operation of secular organizations was 'fraudulent' under Japanese law.

Outside of Korea
Christian Gospel Mission is proselytizing under different names in different regions. Providence or Providence Church in Europe and the US, Setsuri (摂理, Japanese for "providence") in Japan, the Bright Moon Church, the Morning Star Church, and Jesus Morning Star (JMS). Each church branch that follows Jung's teaching keeps its own name (e.g. Nak-seong-dae Church, Seoul Church, etc.).

Australia
Providence began operating in Australia during 1997. Members of Providence have reported to been actively recruiting for new members at the Australian National University. On April 9, 2014, the Australian TV newsshow The Feed (on the government-funded SBS network) reported Providence activities in Australia. Former members stated that the group sought out young attractive women for recruitment. Providence refused numerous requests for a spokesperson, either from Australia or Korea, to be interviewed for the program. The organization's Chief of External Affairs denied in writing to answer specific questions about the group's Australian activities; however, he did disclose that it had charitable status for tax purposes.

Hong Kong
Providence has been reported about in Hong Kong, known as The Bright Moon Church there (月明教會). In October 2006 a former member told Oriental Daily News that it has about 100 core members in Hong Kong, including many medical graduates and some assistant professors. Providence temporarily created an organisation to run various community activities, known as the United Culture and Arts Network (UCAN).

Japan
Providence became active in Japan around 1987. Most Japanese news reports about Providence have been about the sexual allegations. In 2006 the national newspaper Asahi Shimbun reported that Providence is "causing serious social problems in Japan", labeling it as a "cult" and "sect". It also reported that the organization was pressuring members to live together, make regular donations, marry within the organization, and follow the strict guidance of its founder.

The group's church usually consisted of a single apartment room, where their religious studies occurred. Sometimes the church was were where some of the faithful cohabitated. There were some 40 such churches across Japanese cities as of 2006. Members while still a students were expected to contribute a minimum of ¥1000 at the weekly services, and as wage-earners paid monthly tithes and bonus-time contributions. Believers were instructed to live frugally on cheap food and never indulge in alcohol. They were forbidden from dating, but at a suitable time married within the group in mass ceremonies. Although the Supreme Court of Japan in 1996 ruled mass weddings performed by the Unification Church were invalid, more than 300 Japanese members of Providence were wed in six mass ceremonies held between 1996 and 2006 modeled on the Unification Church. While being wanted on rape charges, Jung at a July 2003 mass wedding urged the couples via a big-screen Internet connection to have babies to increase the number of Providence members.

Police raided eight Providence facilities in Chiba on suspicion a senior member illegally obtained residence status. They also searched a facility in the city's Chuo Ward. The senior member, a Korean, was arrested for overstaying her visa. It was learned that Providence recruited "high class, high income" men and selected women for "style and looks".

Taiwan
Providence's earliest activity in Taiwan was in 1988. It is commonly known as Jesus Morning Star Church (JMS), (, 攝理教 or 攝禮教 (shè lǐ jìao)). Providence itself rejects these common names, officially registered as 中華基督教新時代青年會 (China Christian Youth Association, CCYA), and sometimes calls itself 攝理教會 (Providence Church).

In November 2001 the Taiwanese version of Next Magazine published the article "Korean cult leader raped over one hundred Taiwanese female college students". Allegedly involved National Taiwan University, Fu Jen Catholic University, and National Chengchi University all denied the report, stated that there were no cult activities in their campuses at the time. NCCU acknowledged that there had been such activities many years ago. There had been similar reports in 1997. Taiwanese authorities investigated Jung for raping women, but he had already left the country. Members of EXODUS soon came to Taiwan and held a press conference with an involved woman.

In October 2005 Apple Daily reported that many student clubs in National Central University and other campuses are recruiting for Providence Church. These clubs hold a wide variety of activities including the "Eagle Cup" soccer tournament in Taipei city and regular model training. The paper quoted an undisclosed former church member, that the church's "modeling department" is in fact a channel of recruiting sexual partners for Jung. The paper obtained three audio recordings of dialogs of some female members, which say that Jung has had sex with ten female members by mutual consent, most of them college students from the modeling department.