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South Korean church leader arrested in election influence investigation
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- Lee Man-hee, leader of the secretive Shincheonji Church in South Korea, was arrested amid investigations into allegations that he illegally recruited thousands of followers into the conservative People Power Party to influence elections.
- Prosecutors suspect Lee pressured over 50,000 church members to join the party between 2021 and 2024 to support favorable treatment, including permits to expand Shincheonji’s facilities.
- The arrest is part of a broader inquiry into ties between religious groups, including the Unification Church, and politicians linked to former conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted and convicted of rebellion.
- The investigation follows related arrests, including Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han, accused of bribery attempts to secure business favors, and Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, who was sentenced to prison for corruption charges.
- Shincheonji denies the allegations against Lee, who is regarded by followers as a messenger of Jesus, while critics label him a cult leader; the church has about 200,000 members.
