Shincheonji in Singapore: 2 ex-members share stories of secret classes, lies and deception

Two women share how they were enticed to join classes by the local chapter of a secretive S. Korean church now under probe by MHA.

A man walking past a branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, in Seoul. The church has been temporarily closed by the South Korean government to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus after a large
A man walking past a branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, in Seoul. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

She was at an MRT station in central Singapore when two women in their 20s approached her. They exchanged contact numbers, met up for coffee and meals, and struck up a friendship over faith and understanding the Bible.

After several weeks, Shanice (not her real name), a university student, joined the duo - who were Korean - for Bible study classes in town three times a week.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 02, 2020, with the headline Shincheonji in Singapore: 2 ex-members share stories of secret classes, lies and deception. Subscribe