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When public opinion emerged that Shincheonji was responsible for the large-scale spread of infection in the early stages of the Corona 19 crisis, the authorities conducted a large-scale tax investigation.

We secured the results, and it was confirmed that they made money by selling DVDs and books to the believers and diverted church profits.



This is the exclusive report by reporter Im Tae-woo.



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is a picture of the Shincheonji event that filled the Jamsil Sports Complex in Seoul.



After holding such a large-scale event every year, Shincheonji made a DVD of the event and sold it to the believers.



[Former Shincheonji members: Some people bought it for 20,000 won, but they usually sell it for around 10,000 won.

If you sell one DVD, you will make billions.]



I also sold books.



[All Shincheonji followers: There are three books that you must buy when you enter Shincheonji.

I paid about 35,000 won for these three books.]



The story of the believers is that even if you don't want to buy them by force, someone has to buy them all.



[Ex-Shincheonji member: (If you can't do it as assigned, then you have to buy it yourself?) It's all privately owned.

They all live with their own money.]



The Shincheonji side insisted that they never sold anything, and that they did not intend to make money.



It is said that the members of the congregation paid in the name of thanksgiving and publication offerings to express their gratitude.



However, in the Shincheonji internal documents secured by the tax authorities, it was stated that the sales were set in advance in the form of '10,000 won per person'.



In addition, the authorities identified that money from DVD and book sales was classified as 'sales proceeds' rather than donations.



Many of the 70 or so Shincheonji churches across the country have been operating canteens for members within the church for about 10 years, but the tax authorities believe that Shincheonji has been evading church profits through fake private business operators.



[Shincheonji official: There are drinks and sweets, and these are sold to church members.

It 's just that in my personal name.]



According to the results of the investigation by the authorities, church officials were registered as shopkeepers, and they paid taxes, and then the proceeds from the sales went to the church account.



Although we do not levy taxes on religious activities like donations, the authorities regarded DVDs, book sales, and concession stand business as separate sources of money and imposed billions of won in taxes and penalties that have not been paid so far.



Shincheonji has filed an administrative judgment in protest against this measure, but the final judgment is expected to be decided by the court.



(Video editing: Park Jin-hoon, VJ: Park Hyun-woo)