All four one-person protesters who were tried on a charge of defamation for criticizing the World Mission Society Church of God (formerly known as Ahn Sahng-hong Witness Society) and its leader Jang Gil-ja (73), have been found innocent.
On July 31, Judge Bae Gwan-jin of Uijeongbu District Court (Criminal 7th Division, Single Judge) announced, “The Constitution guarantees the freedom to criticize religions, and I found it difficult to view as untrue the expressions of the accused related to “end of the world” statements, individual crises such as leaving home and divorcing, the donating of members’ assets, and child abuse. Therefore I have concluded that all four one-person protesters are innocent.”
In April 2014, Kim X (45), Kang Y (42), and Seo Z (41), victims of WMS Church of God, had picketed in front of the Church of God in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, and shouted, “WMS Church of God and its end-of-the-world claims are causing numerous damages such as members’ divorce, leaving home, donating personal assets, and child abuse,” in reaction to which WMS Church of God filed a defamation suit with the prosecution, and this resulted in charges being brought against them.
Reporter Paek Sang-hyun (100sh@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Full Story in Korean:
하나님의교회 비판 1인 시위자 전원 무죄 판결
Related Article:
1. Supreme Court Dismisses WMS Church of God’s Lawsuits… Allows Criticism of Heretical Groups
2. “No WMS Church of God in our neighborhood!”
All Solo Protesters Against WMS Church of God Found Innocent by Court
2016-08-03 17:31
