On August 26, Maple shared on her personal account, “At the age of 28, three years ago, I filed charges against JMS. I revealed my real name, my face, and the details of my abuse. That’s how I was able to bring down a group with 40 years of history.”
She explained her decision to publish a book: “The book records in detail my experience of being recruited into JMS at the age of 16–17, the process of indoctrination, my escape, and eventually filing charges. I wanted it to serve as a warning so no one else would go through the same pain.”
Maple added, “Suffering should be turned into something useful. That way, it doesn’t just end with pain but becomes a source of comfort, support, and love not only for the victim but also for their community, society, and even the world. In Japan, one sexual violence survivor also left her story in a book and fought her perpetrators legally and socially.”
She emphasized the long-term significance of such records: “Future generations can see and learn from these traces. I hope my journey can positively influence many others.”
Addressing broader social issues, Maple warned, “Not only cults but many manipulative groups exist throughout society. People can be drawn in without realizing it. I hope more people can avoid, escape, or help those trapped in such groups. This must be solved not just in Korea but globally.”
Previously, Maple appeared in In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal, where she bravely testified under her real name and face about the abuse she suffered at the hands of JMS leader Jung Myung-seok. Her testimony played a key role in the documentary gaining international attention.
Jung Myung-seok was indicted for sexually assaulting female followers, including Hong Kong, Australian, and Korean women, at least 23 times between February 2018 and September 2021 at a training center in Geumsan, South Chungcheong Province. In January, South Korea’s Supreme Court upheld his 17-year prison sentence, along with 15 years of electronic monitoring, disclosure and notification orders, and a 10-year employment restriction.
In February, Hong Kong actor Alex Fong personally announced his marriage to Maple. At a recent press conference for In the Name of God and The Echoes of Survivors: Inside Korea’s Tragedies, PD Cho Sung-hyun revealed that Maple is currently expecting her first child.
With her book release, marriage, and soon-to-be motherhood, Maple continues to reshape her narrative — not just as a victim, but as a voice of healing, resistance, and hope.
Sources: Nate
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