Chun Ki-won, the pastor widely hailed as the “Asian Schindler” for assisting North Koreans in escaping Kim Jong Un’s regime, has been sentenced to five years in prison for sexually abusing teenage defectors under his care, the Daily Beast reported. 

The Seoul court delivered the verdict, finding Chun guilty of molesting five students at his South Korean boarding school between 2016 and 2023. Despite vehemently denying the allegations, the court underscored the overwhelming evidence, leading to his conviction in five of the six cases brought against him.

Chun, once celebrated for aiding over 1,000 North Korean escapes spanning 25 years, had founded the Durihana organisation. This nonprofit was dedicated to supporting North Korean defectors, offering refuge and proclaiming the gospel to them. 

The organisation provided essential resources, including food, housing, and quality schooling, with a commitment to assisting defectors in their assimilation into South Korean or American society.

The court’s ruling has cast a shadow on Chun’s once-revered image, as he faced charges related to crimes committed while in a position of “absolute influence.” 

The Judge, Seung-jeong Kim of the Seoul Central District Court, stated, “The victims are making consistent statements, and it includes content that cannot be stated without first-hand experience of the circumstances.”

Chun’s past activities, likened to Oskar Schindler’s heroism during the Holocaust, highlighted his dedication to aiding North Koreans seeking freedom. Despite condemnation from Pyongyang and an earlier imprisonment in China in 2002, Chun persevered in his humanitarian mission. 

However, in recent years, he expressed the increasing difficulty of assisting defectors in China, describing the situation as “all but 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 sentencing has prompted reflections on Chun’s legacy, raising questions about the intersection of humanitarian efforts and personal misconduct. 

The fall of a figure once revered as a saviour to North Korean defectors echoes the complexities inherent in individuals hailed as heroes, underscoring the importance of scrutinising actions even in the face of noble causes.