Exclusive
Atomy Plans Multi-Billion Won Loan and Property Acquisition from Pastor Son Hyun-bo’s Saegero Church

[비즈한국] It has been confirmed that the multi-level marketing company Atomy Co., Ltd. plans to purchase real estate on Gadeokdo Island, Busan, owned by Saegero Church. BizHankook's investigation also confirmed that Atomy has provided the church with a loan of several billion won using this property as collateral.

Atomy Co., Ltd. stated that it intends to purchase real estate on Gadeokdo Island owned by Busan’s Saegero Church. An Atomy representative told BizHankook, "We plan to purchase this property in the future to utilize it as a venue for business seminars and workshops for Atomy members."

The properties in question consist of one plot of land (1,218㎡, 368 pyeong) and a building owned by Saegero Church on Gadeokdo, as well as one plot of land (318㎡, 96 pyeong) owned by an individual named Lee. The building is registered as a general restaurant and office space from the basement level to the 3rd floor, and a detached house on the 4th floor. As this address is listed as Pastor Son Hyun-bo's registered residence, it is possible that the pastor actually resides there.

It was also confirmed that Atomy provided Saegero Church with a loan of several billion won last March using these properties as collateral. According to the real estate registry, in March of last year, Atomy established a collateral security with a maximum debt amount of 9.6 billion won on one plot of land and a building under Saegero Church's name, as well as one plot of land under Lee's name, with Saegero Church as the debtor. Typically, the maximum debt amount is set at around 120% of the actual loan amount. Nine months later, in December of last year, Atomy reduced the maximum debt amount by 50%, from 9.6 billion won to 4.8 billion won.

An Atomy representative explained, "We established the collateral with the intention of purchasing the property," adding, "The loan was processed following an appraisal, and we are receiving interest at the legal rate."

Looking at the 2024 individual officially assessed land prices for these properties, the land is valued at 94.57 million won (owned by Lee) and 913.5 million won, respectively, while the 4th floor of the building, designated as a detached house, is valued at 291 million won. Additionally, a collateral security with a maximum debt amount of 1.65 billion won remains on the plot of land and building owned by Saegero Church, established jointly by Busan Bank on other lands owned by the church in May 2022. Because of this, the 9.6 billion won maximum debt amount initially set by Atomy appears significantly higher than the actual collateral value of the real estate.

Last January, Pastor Jun Kwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church raised suspicions of collusion between Atomy and Saegero Church. At the time, Pastor Jun claimed via his YouTube channel, "There is an Atomy chairman behind (Pastor Son Hyun-bo). They provided 10 billion won on Church Day, October 27. Would businessmen just hand over 10 billion won?" While Pastor Jun Kwang-hoon and Pastor Son Hyun-bo are key figures leading anti-impeachment rallies, analyses suggest they have recently split into 'Gwanghwamun factions' and 'Yeouido factions.'

In response, Atomy stated, "It is not true that we supported (Saegero Church)." Saegero Church did not provide any official statement.

[Correction Report] Regarding <Atomy, Multi-Billion Won Loan and Property Acquisition Plan for Pastor Son Hyun-bo’s Saegero Church>

On March 13, this publication reported under the title <Atomy, Multi-Billion Won Loan and Property Acquisition Plan for Pastor Son Hyun-bo’s Saegero Church> that Atomy had loaned several billion won to Saegero Church and established a collateral security with a maximum debt amount of 9.6 billion won on land and buildings owned by Saegero Church on Gadeokdo, but had reduced the maximum debt amount by 50% to 4.8 billion won nine months later.

However, upon verification, it was confirmed that Atomy had additionally established a collateral security with a maximum debt amount of 4.8 billion won on other properties owned by Saegero Church, thereby maintaining the typical maximum debt amount of approximately 120% of the loan. We correct this accordingly.

This report is in accordance with the mediation of the Press Arbitration Commission.