Rev. Jin Yong-shik (head of the Korean Christian Council of Heresy Counseling Centers), who criticized the World Mission Society Church of God (formerly known as Ahn Sahng-hong Witness Society) as heretical and as causing social damage, and who was subsequently indicted for defamation, insult, disturbance of business, and violation of copyright, has been judged innocent by the appeals court.
On January 17, Suweon District’s 4th Criminal Division Appellate Court (Chief Judge: Shim Jae-nam) announced its verdict finding Rev. Jin innocent, saying, “What Rev. Jin said did not damage the social assessment of WMS Church of God, nor did it violate established social use in its criticism of religion, considering each of his remarks, the purpose of his lectures, the audiences and the circumstances of his lectures, and the size and social status of WMS Church of God.”
In particular, the court revoked the lower court’s decision, judging that Rev. Jin’s use of Ahn Sahng-hong’s photo was not a copyright violation, because it was used for valid criticism of religion and for educational purposes.
Rev. Jin said, “The decision made at this appeal vividly revealed the true identity of WMS Church of God, which teaches ‘terminal apocalypse’ and encourages people to worship certain humans as God… I ask for the prayers and support of churches throughout the country, so that the multiple lawsuits of WMS Church of God against Kukmin Daily, claiming 640 million won in total, will result in acquittal.”
Reporter Paek Sang-hyun (100sh@kmib.co.kr), with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
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Court Finds Rev. Jin Yong-shik Innocent of All Accusations by WMS Church of God
2016-01-19 13:35
