The recent discoveries about the death of a high-school student at a church have left South Korea shaken.
On May 15 of this year, a 17-year-old girl passed away at a church in Incheon, leading to a probe being launched into the case. The details of the were made public only recently by Yoo Sang Bum of the ruling People Power Party.
According to the prosecutor’s findings, the girl was subjected to severe abuse by the church members, which included sleep deprivation and physical labor. She was living in the church for three months leading up to her death. The victim was suffering from bipolar disorder, but instead of seeking psychological help, her mother entrusted her to the church choir team. Two of the choir members, one of whom was an acquaintance of the mother, abused the girl and reported to the choir leader. According to the investigation, the choir leader told the members to “break her will if she makes a ruckus or does not follow the scripture.”
The victim was reportedly forced to copy Bible verses while being completely sleep-deprived for five days. She was also ordered to climb up and down the stairs of the church building for an hour. Her abusers ignored the victim’s constant pleas to be sent to a mental institution. When she showed symptoms of her illness, the victim was kept restrained.
The police discovered the girl after her death with both her hands bound and body covered in bruises. It is speculated that the choir leader was aware of the brutality and even approved of it. After receiving reports from the two choir members, she instructed them to “chastise her severely.” She also denied the victim any medical care, even when she had lost her bladder and bowel control on May 4. The girl has also been unable to consume food directly since May 6. Instead of seeking professional help, the choir members searched terms like “weak spots in the body,” “restraints used by hospitals during seizures,” and “lashes at mental institutes” online and even bought the restraints that are designed for patients with dementia.
Three of the church members are already on trial for child abuse resulting in death, while the victim’s mother was also indicted for negligence of a child. The choir leader has already denied most of the abuse allegations. The other suspects deny any criminal intent. Meanwhile, the next trial of this case is scheduled for August 12.
