The ‘mind-controlling' doomsday cult where members are forced to smack each other in ‘thrashing' rituals & held captive
One that has allegedly encouraged its members to beat each other, and whose leader has been found guilty of violence, child abuse and fraud.
Advertisement
16
A 'cult' run by a religious heretic who allegedly encouraged followers to beat each other has expanded in Fiji
Credit: OCCRP
16
Grace Road was founded by Shin Ok-ju, pictured hitting one of her followers
Credit: SBS TV
16
The doomsday preacher was found guilty of multiple criminal charges including violence, child abuse and fraud in 2019
Credit: VICE
16
A mum was allegedly made to hit her daughter in one of the group's sessions
Credit: Guardian
This tight-lipped church also "forced a mum and daughter to hit each other" and is now demanding its followers to "bear more children" a cult expert told The Sun.
Professor Tark Ji-il said that apocalyptic religious group Grace Road destroys its "disciples' family values" before beginning "doctrinal mind control" of its members.
The ominous sect is said to "force husbands and wives to
sleep
separately" - while also encouraging the aggressive growth of their population.
Grace Road have set up an expanding business empire in Fiji under their corporate arm Grace Road Group - and now seek to "maintain their influence for a long time", cult-watcher Tark said.
Advertisement
read more world news
Fiji locals told The Sun about their "unsettling" experiences interacting with suspicious cult workers in a host of Grace Road establishments.
The brutal regime was headed by South Korean leader Shin Ok-ju before her arrest - after she was accused of forcing churchgoers to beat each other up.
These alleged "threshing ground" rituals were performed to "avoid punishment from God".
The chilling allegations come as a growing number of cults in the East Asian nation use the Korean culture boom to indoctrinate younger members, according to Tark.
Advertisement
Most read in The Sun
Exclusive
Exclusive
The Busan Presbyterian University professor, whose dad was killed by a cult in 1994 while researching them, explained the background of the church and why they took over Fiji.
16
Family members were allegedly encouraged to beat each other up
Credit: OCCRP
16
The group named the tiny island-nation of Fiji as their 'promised land'
Credit: Getty
16
Three Grace Road Group establishments in Fiji amid the group's growing expansion
Credit: Occrp.org
Advertisement
Grace Road, set up by South Korean doomsday preacher Shin Ok-ju, moved 400 of its members abroad to Fiji in 2014.
She convinced her followers that the country would be safe from an imminent apocalypse - hailing the island as the "promised land to avoid war, earthquake or famine", according to Tark.
After settling in Fiji, the members alleged that their passports were confiscated and they were kept captive by the oppressive heretic.
They were made to work without any pay, according to several members who managed to escape.
Advertisement
Many were reportedly beaten up to "drive out evil spirits".
Tark confirmed that several years ago, fanatic Shin "treated her members in very violent way".
"They forced a mother and daughter to hit each other" he said.
Shocking video footage which surfaced in 2018 showed a woman hitting a girl during a Grace Road gathering which was believed to be her daughter.
Advertisement
In 2019, pastor Shin was sentenced to six years in jail after being found guilty of several criminal charges including violence, child abuse and fraud.
A sub-court at the time said the victims "suffered helplessly" while experiencing "not only physical torture but also severe fear and considerable mental shock".
But that was far from the end of Grace Road.
16
Shin Ok-ju's followers 'suffered helplessly' according to a South Korean sub-court
Credit: YouTube
Advertisement
16
Grace Road's empire is laying the foundation for Fiji to be the 'centre of the world as promised in the Bible'
Credit: GR Group
16
A Grace Road-run supermarket in the town of Navua, Fiji
Credit: Oocrp.org
16
The religious group have grown their empire to cover a wide range of businesses in Fiji, including supermarkets
Credit: Oocrp.org
Still operating in Fiji, professor Tark says that the Grace Road Group has amassed an influential presence across the tiny nation's businesses.
Advertisement
He said that they will "try to maintain their influence" and demand its members to "bear more children" while they await the return of their leader Shin.
Grace Road Group's website says that it was established with the "aim of food security and self-sufficiency".
They also claims to have diversified their businesses to reach into "agriculture, construction, food processing, restaurants, trading, resorts, health services and more".
The website says: "GR Group is laying the eternal foundation to raise Fiji to be the centre of the world as promised in the Bible."
Advertisement
Who is Shin Ok-ju?
by Harvey Geh
Shin Ok-ju is the founder of a South Korean doomsday cult called Grace Road.
After amassing a following, she predicted global famine and asserted that Fiji was the "promised land" where her group could find salvation.
About 400 disciples moved to Fiji in 2014 and reportedly had their passports confiscated.
Some alleged that they were forced to work without pay and said that they were effectively trapped on the island.
She is said to have enforced a ritual known as "threshing ground" where she subjected her followers to beatings to drive out evil spirits.
Shocking footage showed Shin slapping followers across the face and making them hit each other.
Shin was sentenced to six years in jail for holding her followers captive in Fiji and subjecting the to violence.
Despite her imprisonment, the church's corporate arm Grace Road Group continues to operate in Fiji growing their business empire.
Professor Tark said that the members of Grace Road "will be expecting the release of its leader Shin".
He said: "Until then, they will continually try to settle down in Fiji."
The group's pervasive influence has even spread to the Fijian government, who have a "friendly" relationship with Grace Road.
Grace Road have secured several construction contracts from the Fiji government, and even won a business excellence award from the former prime minister.
Advertisement
Tark said that the group's relationship with Fijian officials was "much better" than the one it shares with South Korean authorities.
"The church will try to be a Good Samaritan in Fiji to stay there for a long time," he warned.
16
An image taken from GR Group's website naming Fiji as the centre of the world
Credit: GR Group
16
One local said that they had met Shin Ok-ju's son, Daniel Kim (L-2), pictured with Fiji's former PM Frank Bainimarama (L-3)
Credit: GR Group
Advertisement
Local missionary Cullen Carlson told The Sun that he confirmed Tark's analysis of Grace Road Group's growth.
He said that he encountered many Grace Road members who seemed like "ordinary people" - but could never figure out why so many South Koreans had moved to Fiji.
The local said: "As my companion and I continued to visit their restaurants, we began to notice subtle but odd details."
He added that there was "something unsettling about the sheer number of workers" at each establishment.
Advertisement
"The businesses also had religious undertones, incorporating faith-based messages into their branding," he explained.
He remembered a specific encounter he had with a teenage Fijian girl working at a Grace Road business, who was seemingly "friendly" but became scared when asked about her personal life.
Carlson said when he initiated some small talk, her "expression shifted" and she suddenly "grew anxious, as if afraid to engage with us".
A Korean worker then hurried over before "aggressively" interrupting the interaction, and ushering the Fijian girl away.
Advertisement
"The young worker's expression became eerily vacant," Carlson said.
He admitted that he had seen "nothing concrete", but certainly felt "a sense of something much darker, hidden behind the facade of hospitality and faith".
16
'Agriculture operation was first established as our forefront with an aim of food security and self-sufficiency', according to the group's website
Credit: Oocrp
16
Locals living in Fiji said they felt a 'darker sense' when speaking with employees of the religious sect
Advertisement
Another local spoke to The Sun about the group, but wished to remain
anonymous
out of fear for several of their friends who work for the group.
He said he also lives within walking distance of one of Grace Road's farms in Navua.
The former teacher told The Sun that he had actually met the infamous Shin Ok-ju's son - Daniel Kim, who serves as the group's de facto leader on the island.
He said that the first time he met Kim was about a decade ago - and the supreme leader's son was trying to buy the school he was working at.
Advertisement
The local recalled: "Daniel Kim was interested in acquiring the school so they could use it as a place for instructing the Korean kids.
"They said they needed a 'Korean exchange school'.
"Little did we know at the time that they were going to move the whole church over to the country."
The local also claimed to know a man who was given a tour inside one of Grace Road's compounds, which are shrouded in mystery.
Advertisement
He said that he made a bizarre discovery inside - one which appears to align with claims that professor Tark made.
The local said that when his friend went over to the Grace Road compound, there was a "long dorm building" with "all the girl bunks on the left and all the boy bunks on the right".
He also alleged that there were "dozens of pregnant Korean girls"
"It was unbelievable how many of them were pregnant", the witness claimed.
Advertisement
The man also confirmed their expansive presence in Fiji today.
He said: "They're in every industry.
"I mean s**t they just opened a Mexican restaurant.
"Barbers, dentists, fashion, what have you - they're doing it."
Advertisement
16
Expert on South Korean cults, Tark Ji-il told The Sun about his late dad who was killed by a cult member
Credit: TARK JI-IL
South Korean cult expert Tark believes that
Many doomsday groups twisted Christian roots - with leaders claiming to be the reincarnation of Jesus and signalling the apocalypse.
Tark estimates that 1 in 10 Christians in South Korea are in a cult.
Advertisement
But today, they have evolved and adapted to stay relevant.
Tark said: "Nowadays, the world is interested in Korean culture, such as K-pop, beauty, dance, food, and more.
"The Korean cults wisely use these trend to propagate."
He explained that many of these religious groups will "indirectly approach" the youth, and prefer "hiding" rather than directly preaching their messages - making them all the more scary.
Advertisement
"They focus on cultural and relational approaches... before beginning their doctrinal mind control," he warned.
Tark dedicates his research to his late dad who he said was murdered by a cult member in 1994.
The professor said he decided follow in his father's foot steps.
But he explained that even since his dad had started researching cults, the problem had not gone away.
Advertisement
"Since my late father's time, the cult-related problems have never stopped."
He said that in Korea the groups were "not simply a religious matter but a social problem" and that they could "cause serious family and social harm".
The devoted expert said: "What I'm doing is not a choice but destiny."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
3 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
South Korean court orders arrest of wife of jailed ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol
A South Korean court has ordered the arrest of the wife of jailed former president Yoon Suk Yeol as investigators seek to charge her over various suspected crimes, including bribery, stock manipulation and meddling in the selection of a candidate. In granting a special prosecutor's request for an arrest warrant close to midnight, the Seoul Central District Court said Kim Keon Hee posed a risk of destroying evidence. The investigation into Ms Kim is one of three special prosecutor inquiries launched under Seoul's new liberal government targeting the presidency of Yoon, a conservative who was removed from office in April and rearrested last month over his brief imposition of martial law in December. While Yoon's self-inflicted downfall extended a decades-long run of South Korean presidencies ending badly, he and Ms Kim are the first presidential couple to be simultaneously arrested over criminal allegations. Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office in April and rearrested last month over his brief imposition of martial law in December (Kin Cheung/PA) Yoon's surprising yet poorly planned power grab on December 3 came amid a seemingly routine standoff with the liberals, who he described as 'anti-state' forces abusing their legislative majority to block his agenda. Some political opponents have questioned whether Yoon's actions were at least partly motivated by growing allegations against his wife, which hurt his approval ratings and gave political ammunition to his rivals. Ms Kim did not speak to reporters as she arrived at the Seoul court on Tuesday for an hours-long hearing on the warrant request. She will be held at a detention centre in southern Seoul, separate from the facility holding Yoon. The investigation team led by special prosecutor Min Joong-ki, who was appointed in June by new liberal president Lee Jae Myung, questioned Ms Kim for about seven hours on Wednesday last week before deciding to seek her arrest. Ms Kim spoke briefly to reporters as she appeared for last week's questioning, issuing a vague apology for causing public concern but also hinting that she would deny the allegations against her, portraying herself as 'someone insignificant'. Investigators seek to charge Kim Keon Hee over various suspected crimes, including bribery (Jung Yeon-je/Pool Photo via AP) Investigators suspect that Ms Kim and Yoon exerted undue influence on the conservative People Power Party to nominate a specific candidate in a 2022 legislative by-election, allegedly at the request of election broker Myung Tae-kyun. Mr Myung faces accusations of conducting free opinion surveys for Yoon using manipulated data that possibly helped him win the party's presidential primaries before his election as president. Ms Kim is separately linked to multiple corruption allegations, including claims that she received luxury gifts via a fortune teller acting as an intermediary for a Unification Church official seeking business favours, and possible involvement in a stock price manipulation scheme tied to a local BMW dealership company. While in office, Yoon repeatedly dismissed calls to investigate his wife, denouncing them as baseless political attacks.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
My daughter was murdered by her evil ex who sent us chilling ‘I warned you all' text minutes before salon attack
Haunting CCTV also showed Hollie's twisted killer selling a DVD player so he could get money for the murder weapon FAMILY TORMENT My daughter was murdered by her evil ex who sent us chilling 'I warned you all' text minutes before salon attack NICK and Amanda Gazzard knew they had lost their daughter when the surgeon who battled for hours to save her life stood shaking in front of them at the hospital. Nick told The Sun: 'He didn't need to say anything - it was written all over the poor man's face." 10 Hollie Gazzard had repeatedly tried to break up with Asher Maslin Credit: PA:Press Association 10 On the day she died, Hollie had been expecting Maslin to turn up at her salon Credit: Rex Features 10 Nick Gazzard appearing on This Morning alongside his daughter Chloe Credit: Rex Features His beautiful daughter Hollie was just 20 when her jealous, crazed boyfriend launched a frenzied knife attack on her while she cut a client's hair at a beauty salon in Gloucester on February 18, 2014. Obsessed Asher Maslin stabbed her 14 times in front of horrified salon staff and customers after she repeatedly tried to break up with him. Hollie had met Maslin, 21, in a bar where she also worked a year earlier, but he soon became controlling. Chilling CCTV footage showed him selling his DVD player to get money to buy the 12-inch kitchen knife used to attack Hollie. He then bombarded the young hairdresser with abusive texts, including one that said: 'I don't want to get f***ing violent as I'll take it too far." Two days later, he texted her sister Chloe's partner, saying: 'I warned you all.' Minutes later, he walked into the salon and killed her. In July 2014, Maslin received a 24-year life sentence for Hollie's murder at Gloucester Crown Court. Hollie's father, Nick, a former professional footballer, spoke to The Sun about the tragedy that tore his family apart. He said the 'strain' of Hollie's brutal murder caused his marriage to his wife, Amanda, to break down, resulting in them divorcing two years ago. Stalked: Murder In Slow Motion - CCTV shows Asher Maslin selling DVD player to buy the 12-inch knife used to attack Hollie Gazzard He says: 'The impact of Hollie's death on all of us was, unsurprisingly, very, very difficult. 'I have always been a very positive kind of person, so my way of trying to deal with it was to throw myself into educating the public about the warning signs to look for in a toxic, controlling relationship. 'I set up a trust in Hollie's name, and I go around the country giving talks, offering advice. 'Amanda stayed in the background, and over time, we found we were travelling down different paths. "The strain of trying to somehow come to terms with Hollie's death affected our marriage. 'We are still as close as ever to Hollie's older sister, Chloe, who now has two children of her own, and the three of them are mine and Amanda's lives now. 'For Chloe, losing Hollie has been especially hard. In an instant, she lost her best friend, her soulmate, the person she could confide in about anything. 'After Hollie's death, Chloe struggled, but somehow she managed to come through it, and I'm so proud of her. "She's got two daughters, and they are our focus now.' 'Totally fixated' Nick said Hollie was 'a joy to be a father to'. He explained that she loved sports and threw herself into every activity she could. She was initially a very good footballer, but as she grew through her teens, she became more interested in fashion, hair and make-up. It soon became clear to Nick, like many girls of that age, that this would be the route she was going to go down. He continued: 'She was a quick learner and a hard worker. 'Hollie was ambitious too, and she set her sights on working in a hair salon on cruise ships a year or so before she was killed." It is so heartbreaking to think that if she'd stuck to her dreams and gone to sea, she'd have been safe from him, and she might still be alive today Nick Gazzard She had found an opening and was invited to go down to London to train for cruise ship salon work. But while Hollie was in the capital, Maslin followed her there and started giving her a hard time for wanting to take the job. Nick explained: 'He somehow managed to persuade her to ditch her dreams and stay in Gloucester. "It is so heartbreaking to think that if she'd stuck to her dreams and gone to sea, she'd have been safe from him, and she might still be alive today. 'Even though she decided to stay in Gloucester working as a hairdresser, she did repeatedly break up with him because of his behaviour, but he refused to let her go. 'Wherever she went, he'd find her and follow her, threaten her and make her life a misery. He just would not let her go. 10 Fringe Benefits hair salon in Gloucester where Hollie was brutally stabbed to death Credit: Rex Features 10 Nick urged parents concerned their daughter might be in an unhealthy relationship to get them to open up Credit: INSTAGRAM 10 He says he remembers the attack 'like it was yesterday' Credit: SWNS 10 Maslin received a 24-year life sentence for Hollie's murder Credit: PA:Press Association "He was manipulative, obsessive and had by then become totally fixated on her.' 'There's a knife' On the day she died, Hollie had been expecting Maslin to turn up at the salon, according to her then-boss Sian Pryszlak. She said: 'I'd agreed with Hollie earlier in the day that if he turned up, I wouldn't make a scene, I'd just call the police.' Just after 6.30pm, on February 18, Maslin walked into the busy salon. 'I was doing a gentleman's hair,' said Sian. She added: 'I said hello and he said hello and I walked to the back of the salon and held my phone up to Hollie to show that I was going to phone the police and we both nodded to one another. 'I remember feeling quite nervous and anxious about it. "I heard quite a lot of commotion and then there were people running towards me and one client said, 'there's a knife'.' The frenzied attack lasted just two minutes, but Nick says that his hurt will last for a lifetime. His work can never ease the pain he feels daily when he recalls the day of Hollie's death. He added: 'I remember the day we found out that Hollie had been attacked like it was yesterday. Every single detail stays fresh in my mind." Nick had been invited for a meal at a friend's house along with Amanda and Chloe. While out, he had to quickly nip back to the house to pick something up that he had forgotten. He said: "When I got home, there was a car parked up and a policewoman stepped out and asked me if I was Hollie's father. "She said she had something very serious to tell me and asked if we could go inside. 'I immediately began thinking through the worst things that could have happened to her. My heart was pumping. "When we were inside the house, this policewoman broke it to me as gently as she could that Hollie had been stabbed multiple times and was in hospital." Nick told how he raced back to the friends' house, picked Amanda up and drove to the hospital in a state of panic. When they arrived, they were told by a consultant that Hollie was in surgery. They were reassured that everything was being done in their power to try and save her life. Nick added: "I wanted to go in and see her, but they said that was not possible because she was being operated on and every second was critical. 'I hoped with all my heart they'd find a way to save her, but half an hour later, the surgeon came out to us. "He looked ashen, and he was shaking. He sat my wife and me down and told us he'd tried everything to save her, but she was dead. "That moment changed our families' lives forever.' Breaking the cycle In his public talks, Nick urges parents who are concerned their daughter might be in an unhealthy relationship 'to try and sit them down and get them to open up'. He added: 'Ask them if there's anything they'd like to talk about, and if they do open up, listen to them, take them seriously and help put them in touch with professionals who can give them clear, decisive advice. 10 Nick was made an OBE for his work in tackling violence against women Credit: PA 10 Maslin pawned a DVD player for £5 to pay for the knife he used in the crazed attack Credit: SWNS:South West News Service 10 Hollie was stabbed to death in front of colleagues at her salon Credit: Rex Features 'Through the trust I set up after Hollie died, I've lost count of the number of girls and parents we helped get out - and stay out - of destructive relationships. 'One of the most satisfying moments has been when the mother of a 19-year-old young woman contacted me to tell me that for years she had been unable to get her daughter out of an unhealthy, violent relationship. 'She told me her daughter would end the relationship, but then, within days or weeks, they'd get back together because he kept managing to convince her to try again. 'But after coming to one of my talks and reading through our advice online, she actually managed to help her daughter break the cycle and she finished with him… for good. Nothing will ever bring her back, but at least now I can help others make sure they keep their daughters alive and away from men who will harm them Nick Gazzard 'And now, she told me, her daughter has found a new boyfriend, someone who adores her and treats her with kindness and respect. She's finally in a healthy, happy relationship. 'That made my heart burst with pride. For me, that was the most satisfying moment since Hollie's death." Nick is well aware that he can't change what happened, but he has found comfort in helping others escape their abusive partners. He was made an OBE for his work by the Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace in March. He said: 'I am so glad to have perhaps saved at least one young woman from ending up in the situation my beautiful daughter Hollie found herself. "Nothing will ever bring her back, but at least now I can help others make sure they keep their daughters alive and away from men who will harm them."
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Man, 31, charged with murdering rugby star, 27, and dad, 58, in quadruple London stabbing
The rugby star died at the scene while his dad tragically died just moments later in hospital SUSPECT CHARGED Man, 31, charged with murdering rugby star, 27, and dad, 58, in quadruple London stabbing A MAN has been charged with murder after a dad and son were stabbed to death. Hassan Cevik, 31, was arrested on Monday, July 28, after police were called to reports of multiple stabbings at a business unit in Bermondsey, south-east London, at 1pm the same day. Emergency services attended the scene and treated four people for stab wounds, including Brendan McMillan, 27, and his dad Terry, 58. However, despite the best efforts of paramedics, Brendan tragically died at the scene while Terry died shortly afterwards in hospital. Cevik was also taken to hospital before being discharged yesterday. Today, he was charged with two counts of murder as well as a Section 18 grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
