An update on Kim Namhee’s legal battle against Shincheonji - Newspim

The "property rights dispute," the claim of the alleged Lee Man-hee's secret mistress Kim Nam-hee, the legal battle against Shincheonji over the buildings demolition begins.

Article Registration:2020-04-23 

Mrs. Kim, "The buildings erected inside my own property must be demolished." The Court "cancellation due to deception and mistake...Legal action should be specific."

Reporter Jang Hyun-suk

Kim Nam-hee, CEO of the broadcasting and production company Aion - who was meant to be the successor of Lee Man-hee, chairman of the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (Shincheonji), and who claims to be his wife - has begun another property dispute against Sincheonji.

The judge of the Seoul Central District Court,Yoo Young-il, held the first hearing of the demolition lawsuit, lodged by Kim Nam-hee against Shincheonji, on the 23rd, at 11:40 a.m.

Mrs. Kim's side claims: "The owner requires the removal of all the buildings constructed on her private property in Hyeri-ri, Cheongdo-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do," and also, "They should pay for the use of the land."

Shincheonji's side rebuts: "It was not occupied without the owner consent and used for the construction of the buildings," and "Mrs. Kim initially allowed Shincheonji to use it for free."

In response, the court said, "plaintiff should clarify on what basis the conditions of the consent that she gave, as she clearly admitted herself, has changed ," and pointed out, "The defendant deception and the cancellation of the resulting mistake need to be clearly specified in the legal action."

"Regarding the decision of rejecting the accuse of deception, it appears that Mrs. Kim played an important role in Shincheonji or related organizations," and , "For the demand of demolition of the buildings, focus on the issues of the deception and mistake regarding the roles and positions in the church, which were suggested as the reasons for the rebut."

" If we consider the spot agreement as the cause of the claim, we should also point out in future hearings what evidence Shincheonji has made so far," he said. " Strong evidence should prove that the use of land was based on verbal agreements, and not on written grounds."

According to the court, Kim and Sincheonji are vying for the ownership of the land of the "rest area of Mannam" in Cheongdo-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, where the chairman's family gravesite is located. Buildings and facilities have been constructed here. This is the hometown of the chairman Lee and is frequented by Shincheonji believers. In other words, it is a pilgrimage site.

Kim reportedly bought the site in June 2008. And the following year, in September 2009, the construction the Mannam rest area was completed. Kim's name - and not the name of his wife, Yoo - was engraved on the tombstone of Lee's father, who was built on the mountain above the rest area.

However, in March last year, Kim filed a lawsuit to remove the buildings, including the rest area, constructed on her property, claiming she was deceived by Lee's false doctrine and was forced to hand over her right to use the land.

Kim was said to be Shincheonji second-in-command and was influential in the organization. She also claims that she was in a common-law relationship with chairman Lee. Until recently, she appeared on Mr. Lee's side during all the Shincheonji's official events.

However, as Mrs. Kim left Shincheonji, a fight for property rights worth tens of billions won began with Mr. Lee. Another dispute is reportedly taking place over the ownership of the Peace Palace located in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province.

In addition, a trial on appeal over the shareholder rights of Aion, a broadcasting and production company owned by Sincheonji, has recently started at the Seoul High Court. The next trial will be held at the Seoul Central District Court on June the 11th.

Original article: http://m.newspim.com/news/view/20200423000680