Doomsday preacher jailed

SEOUL (Reuter) - A 'doomsday' preacher was jailed for two years for defrauding his followers after persuading them the world would start coming to an end last October. Although Lee Jang-rim, 46, had apologised, he should be punished for the harm he caused his followers, Judge Soh Sang-kyu said.

Many of Lee's followers quit their jobs, sold their homes, gave their assets to his church and left their families in the belief they would be lifted to Heaven before pestilence swept Earth.