[Photo] Victims of “sexual grooming” by pastor hold press conference

A Church pastor in Incheon has been accused by a group of teenage girls and young women of “sexual grooming,” a practice of preparing children for sexual abuse, during a press conference in Seoul on Nov. 6.

The self-proclaimed victims claimed they were all minors when the abuse occurred, and that they were reared by the accused pastor to feel trust and affection for their abuser throughout a period of several years. The victims also said there are at least 26 victims of the pastor’s abuses and that there are likely more who are unable or afraid to speak out. They said they repeatedly called for the pastor to step down and atone for his wrongdoings in the past, but got nothing but taunts and threats in response.

They concluded the press conference by demanding the pastor’s resignation, an official apology, and the legal prosecution of the Presbyterian Church of Korea for sexual assault according to the Constitution of South Korea. (Kim Bong-gyu, staff photographer)