“I presented accusations against JMS when I was 28 years old, three years ago. I made my face public, my real name and the facts about what happened to me. This is how I was able to break down a huge organization with a 40 -year history,“Maple shared, the survivor of sexual abuse at the hands of Jeong Myeong Seok, leader of the religious cult JMS.
Maple appeared in In the name of God: a holy betrayalwhere he bravely revealed his experience as a victim of JMS. Now he has published a book that offers a complete report of his history.
jms survivor maple
" data-medium-file="https://cdn.kbizoom.com/media/2025/08/27124723/jms-survivor-maple-thumbnail-20250827t124031000z-390x217.webp" data-large-file="https://cdn.kbizoom.com/media/2025/08/27124723/jms-survivor-maple-thumbnail-20250827t124031000z.webp" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" alt="JMS SURVIVOR MAPLE" class="wp-image-868856" srcset="https://cdn.kbizoom.com/media/2025/08/27124723/jms-survivor-maple-thumbnail-20250827t124031000z.webp 610w, https://cdn.kbizoom.com/media/2025/08/27124723/jms-survivor-maple-thumbnail-20250827t124031000z-390x217.webp 390w, https://cdn.kbizoom.com/media/2025/08/27124723/jms-survivor-maple-thumbnail-20250827t124031000z-400x223.webp 400w" sizes="(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px"/>He turned to the times of his book, saying: “People might wonder, I haven’t already shared my story In the name of God AND I am a survivor? Why publish a book now? But I think there are things that people still don’t fully understand. “
The book outlines in detail how it was recruited at the age of 16 or 17, the indoctrination process, its departure from the group and the long legal battle that followed. “I think many people still see cults and sexual abuse as distant problems that do not strike them personally. It is likely because they don’t really understand what I have passed.”
“For me, writing this book was a form of healing: to elaborate pain and find emotional closure. I hope that by following my steps, others will think: “Ah, traveling that road can lead to something terribly wrong” and avoid becoming victims themselves.“
He continued, “Pain must be transformed into something significant, otherwise only pain remains. If transformed, it can become comfort, love and support, not only for the person who has suffered but for their community, society and even the world.“
Maple warned him “The control groups are not limited to cults: many manipulative organizations exist within society. People can fall into them without even realizing it. I hope we find a way to avoid them, escape them and help those who have already been trapped. I really hope that this social problem can be addressed not only in Korea but globally. “
The director Cho Cho Sung Hyun, who produced both In the name of God AND I am a survivorAdded during a recent press conference: “Maple expects a child in December. More than anything else, the fact that the survivors found happiness in their daily life and have even brought new life to the world, makes me feel that it really was worth doing this job.”
In particular, Netflix has continued to expand the story of Maple and the wider issues it represents. On August 15, 2025, In the name of God: a holy betrayal returned with a new follow-up season entitled The echoes of survivors: within the tragedies of Korea. The latter episode not only revisited the JMS scandal, but sheds light on other dark chapters of Modern Korean history, including the collapse of the Sampoong department store, the criminal gang of the Chijon family and the abuses at the home of the brothers. Through the testimonies of Survivor, the series continues to exhibit systemic failures and requires justice.
Sources: Newsen, Nate
