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Program reveals 'pastor's riches'

Reverend Cho Yong-gi and family have been 'using the Church for their own gain'
Program reveals 'pastor's riches'
Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul
Published: September 21, 2011 10:16 AM GMT
Updated: September 21, 2011 10:24 AM GMT

A television documentary has accused the pastor at the largest Christian Church in South Korea and his family of using the Church for personal gain and to fund a lavish lifestyle that includes ownership of multi-million dollar homes in the US.

According to the Producer's Note, broadcast yesterday by the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation, Reverend Cho Yong-gi and his family look upon the Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul as their own private possession and not as a tool to help the less fortunate.

All the organizations associated with the Church and cash donated to them are under the control of Reverend Cho and his family members, according to the program.

It accused his wife of using the money to buy around US$20 million worth of property in the US, thereby violating foreign exchange laws.

The program also claimed Reverend Cho’s wife also sold a building built from collection money to Hansei University of which she is the president.

After the program was aired, many viewers denounced Reverend Cho and his family.

“With corrupt pastors such as this its little wonder many people are quitting the Church,” said Shim Jae-yeol who professed to not being religious.

Kim Hee-sun said action needed to be taken against such people who brazenly take advantage of others.

In a statement today Reverend Cho, who established the Church in 1958, denied the allegations, calling them defamatory and completely without foundation.

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