A Seoul court has issued an arrest warrant for Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old founder of the controversial Shincheonji Church, for allegedly orchestrating a large-scale scheme to infiltrate a major political party with his followers, violating laws separating religion and state.
A South Korea n court has ordered the arrest of Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, on charges of orchestrating an illegal scheme to mobilize followers into a political party.
The ruling, issued late on Wednesday by the Seoul Central District Court, cited the risk of evidence destruction. Lee faces allegations of violating the Political Parties Act, which prohibits religious groups from political involvement, and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors accuse him of directing tens of thousands of Shincheonji members to join the conservative People Power Party (PPP) ahead of major elections, including the 2022 presidential race and the 2024 parliamentary nomination contests.
According to investigators, more than 50,000 members were mobilised between 2021 and 2024 to support PPP candidates, an operation authorities describe as a potential collusion between religion and politics. Lee, who appeared frail and supported by aides during a warrant hearing earlier on Wednesday, did not answer questions about the charges. He has denied any wrongdoing. Shincheonji, founded by Lee in the 1980s, is considered by many mainstream Christian groups to be a "brainwashing cult".
The organization gained national attention during South Korea's 2020 Covid-19 outbreak, where over half of the country's early cases were linked to its followers. The case is part of a broader investigation into religious interference in politics. Prosecutors are also examining allegations that the Unification Church mobilised members to join the PPP and cultivated ties with politicians through donations, indicating a systemic scrutiny of the influence of fringe religious groups on the political landscape
Please follow us on Google to support usShincheonji Lee Man-Hee People Power Party South Korea Political Party Religion Arrest Warrant Political Parties Act Corruption Election Interference Unification Church Cult Covid-19 Outbreak
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
SM Lee on Week-Long Leave, Posts Photo of 'Magic Cup'Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong is taking time off work to 'touch grass' and has posted a photo of his legendary 'magic cup' on social media.
Read more »
Major Crash on North South Expressway Stalls 9 Kilometres of TrafficA multi‑vehicle collision on Malaysia's main north‑south corridor caused a nine kilometre traffic jam, prompting extensive diversion and emergency response efforts.
Read more »
Lee Kuan Yew's Fierce Media Showdowns Resurface on TikTok, Inspiring New GenerationHistoric clips of Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew debating Western journalists on topics like press freedom and societal values have gone viral on TikTok, earning him new fans among younger Singaporeans.
Read more »