Testimony of former young adult group leader of SCJ 12 tribes

 

The original text in Korean:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Shincheonji_Korea/comments/11h0v3y/

It contains information that could be triggering for some readers.

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Hello, my name is Yoo JoonYeol, former young adult group leader of SCJ 12 Tribes and former young adult group leader of the John Tribe.

I joined SCJ in Year 27 (2010) and served in various roles, including:

• Young adult group leader at Anyang Mission Church

• Internet Zion Mission Center PM

• Group leader

• District leader

• Young adult group Discipline Manager

• Executive

• Head Education Director (GYBJ)

• Chairman’s Security Team (Seven)

• SCJ Volunteer Group Manager

• WARP (World Alliance of Religions’ Peace) Manager

• HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light) Manager

• IPYG Manager

After all these roles, I served as the young adult group leader for all 12 SCJ Tribes.

The reason I was able to give up many worldly things and devote myself to God’s work was because I had faith, hope, and the promise of the Kingdom of God.

If you’re a young adult who knows me, you probably understand this well.

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During the difficulties caused by COVID-19, I was still serving as a young adult group leader. I’d like to share what happened, based on the instructions from the General Assembly.

In March 2020, Goh Dong Ahn, General Manager of the General Assembly, called me and asked me to find a young woman who could pretend to be his wife in order to mislead prosecutors and reporters during his visit to the Chairman’s residence in Indeokwon.

I asked Ms. Kim, an executive at the Siheung branch, to help. She was available immediately and agreed to cooperate.

Later, Goh Dong Ahn said it was strange that she was wearing a black jumper, and he requested someone taller and more attractive.

I questioned why he was concerned about her clothing or her appearance, but I complied and introduced him to Sister Kim (Sister A) who lived in the Yangjae area. Since she was married, I assumed there would be no issues.

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After some time, the Chairman (Lee Man Hee) was released from the detention center. He called me and said that Choi Dong Hee (former John Tribe leader) and Cha Han Sun (former young adult group leader of SCJ 12 Tribes) were gossiping about the General Assembly. The Chairman asked me to gather seven young adults to investigate and report back.

I, along with the others, began surveillance near Choi Dong Hee’s house and monitored the movements of approximately 2,000 SCJ members and workers across departments via phone.

The only unusual activities we observed were visits to a car repair shop in Ansan and hiking trips to a nearby mountain. We found no evidence of gossip or slander.

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However, during this time, I received a shocking report through a phone call from Sister A.

She told me that she had been raped by Goh Dong Ahn. Another victim, Sister B, had suffered the same.

Due to the sensitivity of the matter, I carefully verified the facts and then called the Chairman. I told him that I could not provide all the details over the phone and preferred to report in person.

The Chairman responded, “I cherish the young adults the most. I won’t let him go.”

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I went to Goseong to report in person. Present there were:

• Min Tae Hong, Head of Evangelism of the General Assembly

• So Jae Heung, Head of Judicial Affairs (and the Chairman’s private lawyer)

• Kim Pyeong Hwa, General Affairs Secretary

I asked to speak with the Chairman privately and delivered the reports at the Goseong Training Center.

The first report was about the alleged gossip, and the second was about sexual assault committed by the General Manager.

I read aloud the testimonies written by the young women.

The Chairman said, “Clean up this mess,” and I left with the reports in hand.

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I was deeply worried that the reports might be leaked, altered, or tampered with. Still, I waited for the Chairman to take proper action and comfort the victims.

To this day, I cannot suppress the resentment I feel.

During those difficult times, he exploited young adults to fulfill his own lustful desires. One of the victims had also been raped several times by Park Sang Ik, former CEO of End Coercive Conversion (HAC – Human Rights Association for Victims of Coercive Conversion Programs).

Previously, the General Manager had told me about that incident. He said the Chairman had ordered Park Sang Ik’s expulsion.

Despite this, I learned that money—money as precious as the blood of the saints—was used by the General Manager for his own revelry and self-indulgence.

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What shocked me even more was that top officials—Min Tae Hong, Lim Eun Mook (Head of Information and Communication), and Jang Min Ho (Planning Director)—were all aware and attempted to cover up Goh Dong Ahn’s crimes, claiming they were protecting “God’s kingdom.”

Now, they claim that I fabricated these accusations under the influence of Choi Dong Hee in order to discredit the General Assembly.

These accusations are unacceptable to me.

It is heartbreaking to witness a world where truth becomes falsehood, and falsehood is treated as truth—where public interest becomes self-interest, and vice versa.

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Soon after, the General Assembly issued new guidelines for transitioning from the Young Adult Group to the Men’s and Women’s Departments. I became a target for transition.

I called the Chairman and asked, “Should I go up?” He said yes, so I obeyed.

But deep inside, I realized, “Ah… they’re trying to silence me.”

So I moved to the Men’s Department, along with many others.

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Eventually, the truth about financial corruption and rape committed by Goh Dong Ahn became known to outsiders.

Jang Min Ho contacted Sister A and asked her to sign a document stating her original testimony was written under pressure from Choi Dong Hee.

Why would they do this?

I believe it was an attempt to make the charges seem baseless at the police investigation stage.

In addition, a large settlement was offered to the victims under the condition that they tell the police nothing had happened.

In fact, an investigator contacted me and said the case was closed due to lack of evidence—not lack of suspicion—because the victims denied the accusations and other involved parties did not cooperate.

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Was that settlement paid from the General Manager’s own funds?

Or was it legal support money collected from SCJ members?

Is he trying to cover his sins by denying everything and using members’ offerings to do so?

I feel ashamed and deeply embarrassed that such things happened within SCJ.

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God’s Word tells us to “purify yourselves” (James 4:8), but based on what I’ve seen from the General Assembly, that no longer seems to be their intent.

SCJ has published books condemning 12,000 crimes committed by so-called “Babylonian pastors.”

But if we have uglier and dirtier sins among ourselves, shouldn’t we be even more ashamed?

Shouldn’t we tell the truth and correct what’s wrong?

Instead, those who speak truth are being expelled, one by one.

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I find myself asking, “Who did I risk my life for?”

It’s been over three years of enduring unspeakable pain, loss, anger, and nightmares.

The Chairman said we must forgive our brothers’ sins. He is right.

But if the sinner has truly repented, he must:

• Return the money taken from SCJ members

• Kneel and apologize to the victims and their parents

• Apologize to the entire congregation for the deception

• And step down from his current position

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My hope is to taste eternal life by the river of the Water of Life and to meet the Living God face to face—with dignity.

I long for justice to prevail, so that my life in SCJ was not in vain.

March 1, SCJ Year 40

💬 Top Comments

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QuestionsAboutSCJ
Moderator

Thank you for posting.

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[deleted]

Thank you for sharing this to English-speaking members!

SCJ has a book that summarizes 12,000 crimes committed by “Babylonian pastors.”
But if there are uglier and dirtier aspects in us, shouldn’t we all be ashamed and embarrassed?
And isn’t that what we have to tell the truth and do to make it right?
But those who tell the truth are being expelled one by one.

This is so sad…

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Dissident39

Thank you for your great work of translation again.

So, this guy is really a rapist with this strong evidence. Really, the more people are higher the more they are really beasts and criminals. All sects are like this.
Their end will be the same.

Soon, soon, SCJ—I’m talking to you—people will see your vanities and your corruption. You will be your own accomplishment of Babylon in Revelation 18.

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ConstructionSad95

Thank you for your translation all the time 😇

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Fast_Foundation1429
EX-Shincheonji Member

Thank you for sharing ♥️ The truth is finally prevailing.
It’s sad though what is happening to innocent victims who are dragged into this high-control group SCJ.
Members are just oblivious and turning a blind eye to these kinds of behaviors instead of standing up against this tyranny and abuse when matters arise of this magnitude.

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SeekingTruth2023
EX-Shincheonji Member

Thank you for the translation!

I never imagined what things happened in SCJ when I was still a member.

His closing words suggest that he is still a member?
Where does this info/testimony originally come from? (I don’t mean Reddit).

↳ coinisft
OP — EX-Shincheonji Member

He was expelled today.

↳ [deleted]

He was expelled today?

Wow, was he expelled because of his testimony?
Did he still have the reports?

↳ coinisft
OP — EX-Shincheonji Member

Yeah, he got expelled for this testimony.
Doesn’t he have the report? Maybe?
He probably knows a lot of secrets. It would be great if he could disclose more of them.

↳ coinisft
OP — EX-Shincheonji Member

He’s still an SCJ member and looks like he’ll be kicked out soon.
I think he gave this testimony himself to a Korean YouTuber.

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Galaxy_staar

Thanks for the update.

I was also put in a position where I knew someone was being sexually assaulted by a leader.
I was definitely torn to know this is how SCJ leaders abuse their members, and we’re still expected to look up to them…

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🔚 End of Thread