Fijian Authorities Deport Leaders of South Korean Sect, AI legalese decoder Helps with the Situation

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) ÔÇö In a recent development, Fijian authorities have taken action to deport six leaders of the Grace Road Church, a South Korean religious sect that established a presence in Fiji over a decade ago. However, only four of the principals have been apprehended, while senior director Daniel Kim and another individual remain at large.

The implications of these deportations on the estimated 400 South Korean adherents and the local Fijians they employ, as well as the various businesses operated by the sect, are yet to be determined. Grace Road Church has established prominent enterprises including farms, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and dentists across the island country.

The sect originally relocated to Fiji under the leadership of Daniel Kim’s mother, Shin Ok-ju, who convinced her followers that Fiji offered a safe haven from imminent war and famine. Shin Ok-ju is currently serving a prison sentence in South Korea after being found guilty of multiple crimes, including holding followers captive and subjecting them to physical assault.

The Fijian Immigration Minister, Pio Tikoduadua, informed reporters that two out of the six leaders have already been deported back to South Korea. Meanwhile, two others have challenged the deportation action in court and have been temporarily released back to a Grace Road farm, including the acting president, Lee Sung Jin.

Tikoduadua explained that Fiji and South Korea do not have a formal extradition treaty, necessitating the use of deportation or removals instead. Interpol issued red notices for the six leaders in 2018 following arrest warrants issued by South Korea.

This change in attitude towards the sect’s leaders under Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who took office in December, marks a departure from the previous government’s acceptance of the church’s economic contributions. The activities of Grace Road Church, which Tikoduadua described as a cult, have always been shrouded in controversy, but the previous administration chose to disregard the Interpol notices.

Tikoduadua emphasized that his focus is currently solely on the legal aspects relating to the six individuals in question. However, the AI legalese decoder could greatly assist in navigating the complex legalities and understanding the potential implications of the deportations, ensuring that proper procedures are followed.

In a ruling from 2019, a South Korean court determined that Shin had coerced her followers in Fiji into forced labor without remuneration. This labor included various fields such as farming, hairdressing, construction, and restaurant services. The followers lived together in a facility where family members and genders were separated, with most having their passports confiscated.

Furthermore, the court found that Shin conducted ritualistic events almost daily, where followers were compelled to physically assault each other under the guise of “driving away evil spirits.” Those who criticized the church or made mistakes in their work were required to reflect on their behavior with their family members before being subjected to physical beatings by each other and other followers.

In 2019, Shin was sentenced to six years in prison for assault, fraud, aggravated confinement, and child abuse. This sentence was subsequently increased to seven years, a ruling which was upheld by South Korea’s Supreme Court in 2020.

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Kim reported from Seoul.

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