South Korean Pastor Chun Ki-won, once lauded as a hero for aiding North Korean defectors, has been sentenced to five years in prison for sexually

abusing teenage escapees.

Chun, 67, was known for his efforts in smuggling hundreds of North Koreans to safety, earning him the moniker of an "Asian Schindler" and his operations likened to an "Underground Railroad" for those fleeing the oppressive regime in the North. However, his reputation was tarnished when he was arrested in Seoul in September on charges of molesting minors at his boarding school.

Police accused Chun of sexually abusing six North Korean teenagers, including defectors residing in the dormitories of the alternative school he had established at his Durihana mission. Despite his denials, the court ruled the victims' testimonies as compelling evidence, highlighting Chun's absolute influence over them.

The court found Chun guilty in five out of six cases of abuse, involving both individuals who escaped alone and those who fled with their families under his guidance. Chun, the founder of Durihana, a prominent NGO aiding North Korean defectors, claimed to have facilitated over 1,000 escapes over 25 years, drawing condemnation from Pyongyang.

Previously hailed for his humanitarian work and compared to Oskar Schindler, Chun's arrest and subsequent conviction have shocked South Korea. His trial received extensive media coverage, with TV broadcasts showing Chun in handcuffs, underscoring the stark contrast from his former heroic image. Photo by Michael Day, Wikimedia commons.