Shincheonji's tax breaks continue amid abuse allegations

In short:

Eight months ago, the charities watchdog announced it was investigating Christian fringe group Shincheonji amid allegations that members were being subjected to manipulative tactics.

The group remains a registered charity in Australia, with tax concessions.

Advocates are calling for swift action and transparency.

South Korean Christian fringe group Shincheonji remains a registered charity in Australia, eight months after the charities watchdog announced it was investigating the sect.

Following an ABC investigation into Shincheonji's Melbourne chapter earlier this year, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) announced a probe into the group's charity status.

Previous ABC reporting uncovered the invasive, highly organised tactics members use to bring in new recruits, motivated by the indoctrinated belief that by recruiting they are doing God's work, and allegations they were brain-washing, financial abusing, and isolating members.

Shincheonji followers believe only those who have heard God's word through the group's founder and Messiah, 95-year-old Lee Man-hee, will be saved from the apocalypse.

Man-hee remains detained in South Korea for allegedly violating the Political Parties Act by orchestrating an illegal scheme for followers to join the conservative People Power Party, according to local media.

In 2021, Man-Hee was found guilty of embezzling the equivalent of $5.5 million and received a three-year suspended sentence in South Korea.

Shincheonji claims to have churches in more than 100 countries and a congregation of more than 300,000 members.

Tax breaks

As an Australian registered charity, Shincheonji gets tax concessions.

Its charitable purpose, as registered with the ACNC, is "advancing religion".

At the time the ACNC announced its investigation, the regulator said it would "act firmly where vulnerable people or significant charity assets are at risk".

To be registered as a charity, a group must meet certain criteria, including being not-for-profit and having only charitable purposes that are for the public benefit.

While the charity is still registered, it is unclear if any regulatory action has been taken by the ACNC, as some actions, like issuing a warning, are made publicly available while others, such as when a matter is referred to another agency, are not disclosed.

An ACNC spokesperson said they could not speak publicly about the investigation, nor could they confirm if the investigation was ongoing or had concluded.

"Anyone can raise a concern about a charity with the ACNC, and we take all concerns seriously," the spokesperson said.

Shincheonji's Melbourne chapter has been contacted for comment.

'Gap in public protection'

Maria Esguerra, director of cult survivor support group The Olive Leaf Network, said she continued to get regular requests for support from former or current Shincheonji members in Australia.

"From what we understand, [Shincheonji] has shifted toward hybrid recruitment strategies across social media, Discord, campus clubs, and dating apps," Ms Esguerra said.

"Despite rising awareness on university campuses, these adaptive tactics continue to target university students, international students, and young adults."

Ms Esguerra described Shincheonji's retention of their charity status as pointing to a "regulatory gap in public protection and oversight".

"Charity registration signals public trust and credibility; maintaining it provides an unearned badge of legitimacy that obscures risks to vulnerable individuals and families," she said.

"From our conversations with victim-survivors, seeing this status preserved is profoundly disheartening."

She said there was an urgent need to align charitable status with transparency, public benefit and a duty of care.

"While the ACNC operates under procedural fairness and secrecy laws, this structural lag allows Shincheonji to retain tax concessions and public trust," she said.

Former Shincheonji member Dariyn Girton spent three years inside the Melbourne branch of Shincheonji and told her story to the ABC earlier this year.

Ms Girton said during her time in Shincheonji, she was pressured to give money beyond her means and sell her possessions to keep up with payments so she could make it into the "Kingdom of Heaven".

Ms Girton said she was "disheartened" that the group was still operating as a charity.

"This organisation has done so much damage to unsuspecting victims across the world and on our own doorstep, with spiritual and financial abuse being just the tip of the iceberg," she said.

"As a former member and supporter of deregistering and disbanding of Shincheonji, I would like to see more action being taken and the consequences swiftly brought upon on this harmful organisation."

Assistant Minister for Charities Andrew Leigh said he could not comment on the investigation and could not confirm if it was ongoing or had closed.