"Victims’ Group Accuses ‘World Mission Society Church of God’ Leaders of Fraud, Calls for Investigation into 700 Billion KRW Asset Misappropriation"

[News & Joy Reporter Choi Yu-ri]

The Victims’ Family Association of the World Mission Society Church of God (HAPIMO) has filed a fraud complaint against Jang Gil-ja, referred to as "Mother God" in the church, and Kim Joo-cheol, the General Assembly Chairman of the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG).

On July 27, HAPIMO held a press conference in front of the WMSCOG headquarters in Pangyo to announce the charges. They stated, “Jang Gil-ja and Kim Joo-cheol exploited doomsday predictions in 1988, 1999, and 2012 to accumulate personal wealth by coercing believers into giving up their assets. According to the court rulings from The Kukmin Daily trial, their accumulated wealth is estimated to be between 3–4 trillion KRW, highlighting the extensive financial damage they caused to their followers.”

Allegations of Fraud and Real Estate Acquisitions

HAPIMO alleged that although Jang and Kim claimed the world would end in 2012, they acquired 90 properties between 2012 and 2016, valued at approximately 700 billion KRW. Some of these properties were worth over 30 billion KRW individually.

They further emphasized that the WMSCOG has been responsible for illegal and anti-social activities, with reports of victims emerging not only in South Korea but also in countries like China, Singapore, Mongolia, and the United States. Victim support groups have been formed overseas, and major U.S. media outlets, including NBC and People Magazine, have reported cases of divorce, family conflict, abortion, and home destruction caused by the church, issuing public warnings about the organization.

Organized Fraud Disguised as Religion

HAPIMO accused the WMSCOG of being an organized fraud group disguised as a religion, primarily aimed at exploiting believers' assets. They alleged that the church encourages divorce and family separation to further its objectives. Furthermore, under the guise of missionary work, they send members deemed sufficiently indoctrinated overseas, where similar issues arise, tarnishing South Korea’s reputation internationally.

Call for Legal Accountability

HAPIMO criticized Jang and Kim for filing numerous lawsuits against victims who spoke out, rather than acknowledging their wrongdoing and offering apologies. However, court rulings have revealed the church’s fraudulent activities and the resulting harm, including cases of divorce, family breakdown, and financial exploitation, as societal issues warranting attention.

The group highlighted the hypocrisy of Jang and Kim, who, despite claiming 2012 would mark the end of the world, used funds from deceived believers to purchase 90 church buildings worth 700 billion KRW after that date. Instead of apologizing, they heavily promoted the dedication ceremonies of these properties through various media outlets to flaunt their influence.

Appeal to Authorities

HAPIMO concluded its statement by urging legal, governmental, and media institutions to thoroughly investigate and hold Jang and Kim accountable for their crimes. They emphasized that if the WMSCOG continues to exploit its religious status to avoid legal scrutiny, more victims will suffer financial losses and family destruction.

HAPIMO submitted its complaint with the hope of bringing Jang Gil-ja and Kim Joo-cheol to justice and protecting future victims from exploitation.

Signed by the Members of the Victims’ Family Association of the World Mission Society Church of God

Source: [News & Joy] "World Mission Society Church of God: A Fraudulent Group Exploiting Members' Assets"