Court found Chun Ki-won, alias “Asian Schindler,” guilty of sexually abusing five students at his South Korean boarding school
Chun Ki-won, the pastor widely hailed as the “Asian Schindler” for helping North Koreans escape Kim Jong Un's regime, has been sentenced to five years in prison for sexually abusing teenage defectors under his care, the news reported. daily beast reported.
The Seoul court issued the verdict, finding Chun guilty of sexually abusing five students at his South Korean boarding school between 2016 and 2023. Despite vehemently denying the allegations, the court highlighted the overwhelming evidence, leading to his conviction in five of the six cases brought against him.
Chun, once famous for helping more than 1,000 escapes from North Korea over 25 years, had founded the Durihana organization. This non-profit organization was dedicated to supporting North Korean defectors, offering them shelter and proclaiming the gospel to them.
The organization provided essential resources, including food, housing, and quality education, with a commitment to assisting defectors in their assimilation into South Korean or American society.
The court ruling has cast a shadow over Chun's once-revered image as he faces charges related to crimes committed while he was in a position of “absolute influence.”
Judge Seung-jeong Kim of the Seoul Central District Court stated: “The victims are making consistent statements and include content that cannot be expressed without first-hand experience of the circumstances.”
Chun's past activities, compared to Oskar Schindler's heroism during the Holocaust, highlighted his dedication to helping North Koreans seeking freedom. Despite condemnation from Pyongyang and a previous imprisonment in China in 2002, Chun persevered in his humanitarian mission.
However, in recent years, he expressed the increasing difficulty of helping defectors in China, describing the situation as “almost impossible.” In a 2023 interview with The New York Times, Chun shared his deep sense of sadness and helplessness, a stark departure from his decades-long commitment.
The ruling has sparked reflections on Chun's legacy, raising questions about the intersection of humanitarian efforts and personal misconduct.
The fall of a figure once revered as the savior of North Korean defectors reflects the complexities inherent in people hailed as heroes, underscoring the importance of examining actions even in the face of noble causes.
