South Korean church leader arrested in election influence probe
8 reported
The 95-year-old leader of the secretive Shincheonji Church, Lee Man-hee, was arrested Wednesday as South Korean authorities investigate allegations that he illegally recruited thousands of followers into the conservative People Power Party to influence elections. Lee, a self-proclaimed messenger of Jesus who founded the congregation in the 1980s, appeared at the Seoul Central District Court for a hearing on prosecutors’ arrest request. The court issued the warrant citing Lee as a threat to destroy evidence. The church, which has about 200,000 followers, has denied the accusations. Investigators suspect Lee used church regional branches to pressure more than 50,000 followers to join the People Power Party from 2021 to 2024, including efforts to support former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s presidential bid, in hopes of winning favorable treatment for the church. Lee’s arrest follows a separate case involving Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han, who was arrested and indicted over allegations of bribing Yoon’s wife. The broader investigation is part of inquiries under the current liberal government into Yoon’s presidency, after he was ousted and convicted of rebellion over his brief imposition of martial law in December 2024.
What’s reported
Lee Man-hee, 95, leader of Shincheonji Church, was arrested Wednesday.
The court issued the arrest warrant citing Lee as a threat to destroy evidence.
Investigators suspect Lee pressured more than 50,000 followers to join the People Power Party from 2021 to 2024.
The alleged campaign aimed to influence the party’s presidential and legislative primaries and support Yoon Suk Yeol’s presidential bid.
The church denies the accusations and has about 200,000 followers.
Lee’s arrest came months after Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han was arrested and indicted over allegations of bribing Yoon’s wife.
Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office in April 2025 after being impeached over his December 2024 martial law imposition.
Liberal President Lee Jae Myung has authorized multiple investigations into Yoon’s martial law imposition and other allegations.
Key figures
Lee Man-hee: 95-year-old leader of Shincheonji Church, arrested.
Yoon Suk Yeol: Former conservative president, ousted and convicted of rebellion.
Kim Keon Hee: Yoon’s wife, sentenced to four years in prison for receiving luxury gifts.
Hak Ja Han: Unification Church leader, arrested and indicted over bribery allegations.
Lee Jae Myung: Current liberal president.
Sources: abcnews.com
