Blab Politics
South Korean Court Orders Arrest of Shincheonji Founder Lee Man-hee Over Alleged Political Party Recruitment Scheme
In a move that has reverberated across Seoul’s political and religious communities, a court issued an arrest warrant for Lee Man‑hee, the 95‑year‑old founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, on Wednesday. The order follows accusations that Lee directed tens of thousands of his followers to join the conservative People Power Party (PPP) in the run‑up to the 2022 presidential election and the 2024 parliamentary nominations.
The Seoul Central District Court cited the Political Parties Act, which bars religious organisations from participating in politics, and obstruction charges. Court officials said the warrant was issued because investigators feared Lee might destroy evidence. Lee appeared frail and was supported by aides during the hearing; he did not respond to questions about the allegations.
Shincheonji was founded in the 1980s by Lee, who claims to be a messiah. Mainstream Christian churches have described the group as a pseudoreligion or cult. In 2020, a cluster of COVID‑19 cases linked to the church sparked nationwide scrutiny, and Lee was acquitted in 2021 of charges that he obstructed the government’s pandemic response.
Investigators say that between 2021 and 2024, more than 50,000 Shincheonji members were mobilised to support PPP candidates during the 2022 presidential campaign and the 2024 parliamentary nomination contests. Prosecutors allege that Lee sat at the top of a scheme that blended religious influence with political recruitment, a practice prohibited by South Korean law.
The case is part of a broader inquiry into religious interference in politics. Prosecutors are also examining claims that the Unification Church encouraged its members to join the PPP and cultivated ties with politicians through donations. The investigation has drawn attention to the limits of religious freedom when it intersects with electoral processes.
The court’s decision comes amid a politically charged environment. The PPP, which won the 2022 presidential election and dominated the 2022 local elections, lost the 2024 parliamentary election. The party’s leadership has not yet issued a statement on the arrest. The Seoul Central District Court declined to comment early on Thursday.
Lee’s arrest does not automatically mean a conviction. He will face a preliminary hearing, and prosecutors must prove that he knowingly violated the Political Parties Act and obstructed the political process. If convicted, the penalties could include imprisonment and fines.
The move may influence public debate about the role of religious groups in South Korean politics. It also raises questions about how the legal system will handle similar cases involving other faith‑based organisations.
At present, Lee remains in custody pending further court proceedings. The next scheduled hearing is not yet announced. The case is expected to proceed through the district court, with possible appeals to higher courts if the outcome is contested. The investigation continues to gather evidence on the alleged recruitment scheme and its impact on the PPP’s electoral performance.
The arrest underscores the judiciary’s willingness to enforce the Political Parties Act and signals a broader effort to curb perceived collusion between religious organisations and political parties in South Korea.
The Seoul Central District Court cited the Political Parties Act, which bars religious organisations from participating in politics, and obstruction charges. Court officials said the warrant was issued because investigators feared Lee might destroy evidence. Lee appeared frail and was supported by aides during the hearing; he did not respond to questions about the allegations.
Shincheonji was founded in the 1980s by Lee, who claims to be a messiah. Mainstream Christian churches have described the group as a pseudoreligion or cult. In 2020, a cluster of COVID‑19 cases linked to the church sparked nationwide scrutiny, and Lee was acquitted in 2021 of charges that he obstructed the government’s pandemic response.
Investigators say that between 2021 and 2024, more than 50,000 Shincheonji members were mobilised to support PPP candidates during the 2022 presidential campaign and the 2024 parliamentary nomination contests. Prosecutors allege that Lee sat at the top of a scheme that blended religious influence with political recruitment, a practice prohibited by South Korean law.
The case is part of a broader inquiry into religious interference in politics. Prosecutors are also examining claims that the Unification Church encouraged its members to join the PPP and cultivated ties with politicians through donations. The investigation has drawn attention to the limits of religious freedom when it intersects with electoral processes.
The court’s decision comes amid a politically charged environment. The PPP, which won the 2022 presidential election and dominated the 2022 local elections, lost the 2024 parliamentary election. The party’s leadership has not yet issued a statement on the arrest. The Seoul Central District Court declined to comment early on Thursday.
Lee’s arrest does not automatically mean a conviction. He will face a preliminary hearing, and prosecutors must prove that he knowingly violated the Political Parties Act and obstructed the political process. If convicted, the penalties could include imprisonment and fines.
The move may influence public debate about the role of religious groups in South Korean politics. It also raises questions about how the legal system will handle similar cases involving other faith‑based organisations.
At present, Lee remains in custody pending further court proceedings. The next scheduled hearing is not yet announced. The case is expected to proceed through the district court, with possible appeals to higher courts if the outcome is contested. The investigation continues to gather evidence on the alleged recruitment scheme and its impact on the PPP’s electoral performance.
The arrest underscores the judiciary’s willingness to enforce the Political Parties Act and signals a broader effort to curb perceived collusion between religious organisations and political parties in South Korea.
