A South Korean retail giant - praised by the Fijian prime minister for its commitment to expand their enterprises in the Pacific island nation - is now facing intense scrutiny by the government for alleged breach of Fiji's laws
The Grace Road Group, whose founder was jailed in 2019 for imprisoning hundreds of followers at one of its churches in Fiji, has been put on notice by the Fijian Government over unauthorised construction work in Nadi.
Greenhouses at the Grace Road Group farm in Navua, Fiji. Photo: Supplied
The company also runs Grace Road Church and the Grace Road Kitchen in Fiji, among several other enterprises.
Last week, the company was issued a prohibition notice for alleged environmental breaches over the construction work at Nasoso in Nadi.
Fiji's Environment Secretary Joshua Wycliffe said inspections by the department found Grace Road did not comply with the Environment Act.
Wycliffe also said the company did not submit an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
"It came to our notice that wasn't proper permits that they had so the Department of Environment director has made a decision to stop the work," Wycliffe said. A prohibition notice has been issued.
"We welcome investments. As a nation, we do need investments. We do need quality and we do need service, proper service.
"However, that does not mean that rules can be breached. As a regulatory agency, we are very particular that rules are followed simultaneously."
A stop-work notice has been issued by the Nadi Town Council and the iTaukei Land Trust Board, followed by the Department of Environment's prohibition notice to Grace Road following the government's assessment.
Residents had reportedly complained to the council that the construction works had resulted in water flowing onto their compounds during heavy rain.
The iTaukei Land Trust Board said it has stopped all the works undertaken by Grace Road at Naisoso, Nadi.
An investigation has been launched and Wycliffe warned further action will be taken against the company if required.
Former members of the Grace Road Church speak to the media. The banner above them reads "Please rescue 400 South Koreans in Fiji!" Photo: Supplied
Grace Road founder jailed
In July 2018, the group's founder Shin Ok-ju and three other members of the Grace Road Church were arrested when they arrived at Seoul's international airport.
Shin was taken in by police for allegedly detaining about 400 of her followers in Fiji.
Many of the church's followers had travelled to Fiji in 2014 because they reportedly believed that the Pacific island nation was chosen by God to prepare the world for a major famine and drought.
But the followers claimed that once they arrived in Fiji, their passports were confiscated and they were prevented from leaving the country.
Shin was jailed in September, 2019. Following her sentencing, Grace Road assured their customers they would continue with business as usual.
Shin's son Daniel Kim denied claims the church is a cult and treats its followers like modern-day slaves.
A senior public servant in Fiji also said then that there was no need to investigate the Grace Road Church.
Then opposition leader Sitiveni Rabuka called for the permanent secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister, Yogesh Karan, to resign for saying the Korean church didn't need to be investigated.
Karan said he stands by his August 2019 statement, because none of the cult members in Fiji had breached their visa conditions.
Rabuka also accused the government of turning a blind eye to Grace Road to preserve business links.
However, Karan said Ok-ju was charged by a Korean court, not a Fijian one and that issue was between the church and its members.
Construction work by Grace Road at this site in Nadi has been stopped by the Fijian authorities. Photo: Supplied
Grace Rd Fiji businesses humming
While mainstream churches in Fiji have accused Grace Road Church of being a cult, the Grace Road Group has raised eyebrows by being awarded lucrative government contracts.
In October this year, Grace Road opened its $4 million True Mart in Sabeto, Nadi.
The company said the facility, equipped with a supermarket, a restaurant and service station, marked another all-purpose business in Fiji.
Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama opened the True Mart facility and praised the Grace Road Group for its commitment to expand their enterprises in Fiji.
Bainimarama had said the project was executed while Fiji was combating the resurgence of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Opposition National Federation Party has questioned the government about its relationship with Grace Road.
NFP MP Lenora Qereqeretabua said under the Foreign Investment Act and Regulations, cafes and bakeries were described as reserved activities.
"So how do the Grace House Snowy House cafe operate in Fiji? How do their Pacific Patisserie bakeries operate in Fiji? Aren't these activities reserved for Fiji citizens?"
Qereqeretabua said they were aware that Grace Road had a construction company and that the company worked for the Government.
"I say to the Government - you say you are a government that is transparent and accountable. So tell us what is the real relationship between Government and Grace Road?"
Qereqeretabua had called for an independent investigation into Grace Road and said if needed be, people would be charged and sent home if found to have violated Fiji's laws.
The Grace Road Group's businesses include agriculture and food processing, construction, restaurant and food, retail, hotel and resort and renewable energy.
The group did not respond to a request for comment by RNZ Pacific.
Shin Ok-ju, the founder of Grace Road Church, was jailed in South Korea in 2019 for enslaving some 400 followers in Fiji. Photo: Grace Road Church
