Tragic Death Unveils Cult-Like Activities of “Soldiers of Christ” in Atlanta
In a shocking revelation, the lifeless body of 33-year-old Sehee Cho, a South Korean national, was discovered in the trunk of a car in the Atlanta area. Cho had allegedly been lured by a religious organization promising a path to God, only to meet a gruesome end during a brutal initiation into the “Soldiers of Christ,” a fanatic religious group led by two South Korean brothers.
Prosecutors claim that Cho was held captive in the basement of a residence for weeks, enduring physical abuse, including beatings with a belt, ice baths, and starvation. The perpetrators, seven individuals, mainly family members, have been arrested and charged with murder, among other felonies.
The Gwinnett County Police Department officially designated the “Soldiers of Christ” as a criminal street gang, adding to the shock and horror surrounding Cho’s death. The alleged founder, 26-year-old Joonho Lee, is said to have sought 12 disciples and even attempted to recruit a Korean-American Georgia State University student after Cho’s demise.
Investigations revealed disturbing details, with Joonho claiming to receive direct instructions from God. Cult expert Dr. Steve Hassan, who escaped a Korean cult in the 1970s, emphasized that the allegations align more with cult activity than typical street gang behavior.
Cho, described as highly susceptible due to her struggle with depression, was brought to Lee’s family home in July 2023 under the pretext of “finding God.” During a purported voluntary initiation, video evidence allegedly captured Joonho beating Cho and subjecting her to ice baths, leading her to express a desire to leave the program.
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However, as revealed by the alleged co-leader, 15-year-old Junyeoug Lee, there was no way out, solidifying suspicions of cult-like control tactics. Dr. Hassan suggested that Cho’s alleged murder might have been an exorcism attempt, noting a pattern in such groups to use extreme measures to expel perceived spirits.
The case has sparked fears of cult activities within the Korean community in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Dr. Hassan warned of similar groups operating in the shadows across the country, emphasizing that cults often emerge from individuals seeking structure, authority, and certainty.
In total, seven suspects, including the Lee brothers, their mother, and three others, face charges of murder, false imprisonment, tampering with evidence, and concealing the death of another. The investigation unfolds, shedding light on the dark and disturbing world of cult-like activities within the “Soldiers of Christ.” Legal representatives for the accused are yet to respond to media inquiries, leaving many unanswered questions surrounding this tragic case.