6 US religious group members kill woman from South Korea

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
16 Sep 2023 09:45

Detectives believe that the alleged driver of the silver car containing the body was Eric Hyun who asked a family member to get an item from the car after which the deceased body was discovered.

Police investigate a vehicle after a body was found in another vehicle on Tuesday in Duluth, Georgia. (AP)

Police in the state of Georgia have released a statement following the discovery of a South Korean woman's body in a car trunk in Gwinnett County, stating that six members of a self-described religious group called the "Soldiers of Christ" are now under arrest.

"On September 12, at approximately 10:50 p.m., officers assigned to Central Precinct responded to 3555 Gwinnett Place Dr in unincorporated Duluth about a suspicious activity. A person called 911 dispatch and advised he believed a dead body was inside a vehicle at the location... Officers arrived on scene and were able to confirm a body was inside the trunk of a vehicle, " the Gwinnett Police Department stated.

According to police, the victim recently immigrated from South Korea to the US in the summer to join a religious organization called "Soldiers of Christ." At the time of discovery, the body weighed 70 pounds following suspicion of prolonged abuse, beatings, and malnourishment.

The statement reported that detectives have identified Eric Hyun as the alleged driver of the silver car containing the body. Hyun had requested a family member to retrieve an item from the vehicle, which ultimately led to the discovery of the deceased body, prompting the family member to dial 911.

Subsequently, detectives have filed charges against six individuals: Eric Hyun (26 years old), Gawom Lee (26 years old), Joonho Lee (26 years old), Juoonhyum Lee (22 years old), Hyunji Lee (25 years old), and Junyeoug Lee (15 years old). In addition to the murder charges, law enforcement has also included the "criminal gang activity" charge.

It's important to note that the victim's family in South Korea has not yet been informed of the death, and the identity of the victim remains undisclosed.