Controversial religious group uses K-pop boom for overseas recruiting
Rev. Shin Hyeon-uk of Guri Chodae Church, right, and two former members of SCJ speak during a press conference held in Guri, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. Courtesy of Guri Cult Counseling CenterBy Kang Aa-youngRev. Shin Hyeon-ukThe local Christian community alleged Wednesday that a controversial religious group has been using the international K-pop boom to increase its members, urging believers to stay alert not to be duped by the “heretical” group. The warning comes as Shincheonji Church of Jesus - the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (SCJ) has seen a rapid increase in its overseas members in recent years, particularly in China, South Africa, the United States and Germany. Rev. Shin Hyeon-uk of Guri Chodae Church and director of Guri Cult Counseling Center in Gyeonggi Province said SCJ held a general meeting on Jan. 13, where branches shared their accomplishments.Shin told The Korea Times that he joined the meeting in the guise of an SCJ member and taped what was said there.Based on the information he obtained, Shin said the church has an estimated 202,899
Jan 23, 2019
