The Rev. Cho Yong-gi, whose megachurch in South Korea once symbolized the postwar growth of Christianity in his country, has died at 85.

David Cho Yong-gi, a South Korean pastor who founded one of South Korea’s largest and most popular megachurches died on Tuesday morning, his church said in a news release.

In this Oct. 11, 2013, photo, Rev. Cho Yong-gi attends Grand Prayer Rally for Peace of the Korean Peninsula and for the Hope of the World Church at the World Cup Stadium in Seoul, South Korea.

In this Oct. 11, 2013, photo, Rev. Cho Yong-gi attends Grand Prayer Rally for Peace of the Korean Peninsula and for the Hope of the World Church at the World Cup Stadium in Seoul, South Korea.

SEOUL >> The Rev. Cho Yong-gi, whose founding of South Korea’s biggest church was a symbol of the postwar growth of Christianity in the country before that achievement was tainted by corruption ...

The Rev. Cho Yong-gi, whose founding of South Korea's biggest church once symbolized the postwar growth of Christianity in the country before that achievement was tainted by corruption and other ...