SEOUL, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- A South Korean religious cult leader was sentenced to death Monday for ordering the murders of six followers between 1990 and 1992.
The death penalty was handed down to Yongsaenggyo cult chief Cho Hui-song, 72, who allegedly planned the deaths of followers who tried to challenge his doomsday theory or threatened to reveal his crimes, the Korea Times reported Monday.
Ra Kyong-ok was also sentenced to death on charges of murdering the victims at Cho's request.
Kim Jin-tae was given life imprisonment for assisting Ra in the murders, while two others were sentenced to 15 years and 12 years for their involvement.
The cult leader was indicted on charges of ordering the killings of 10 cult members who defied his rules or left the group, while other defendants were indicted on charges of murdering and secretly burying the victims.
