A South Korean court has ordered the arrest of Shincheonji Church of Jesus founder Lee Man-hee over allegations that he orchestrated an illegal campaign encouraging church members to join a political party ahead of major national elections, according to local media reports.
The decision marks a significant development in a widening investigation into the relationship between religious organizations and political activity in South Korea. Prosecutors allege that Lee, 95, directed a large-scale effort to mobilize church followers to join the conservative People Power Party between 2021 and 2024, potentially influencing internal party nomination contests and election campaigns.
According to investigators, the operation involved more than 50,000 members of Shincheonji, a religious movement founded by Lee in the 1980s. Authorities contend that the recruitment effort violated South Korea’s Political Parties Act, which prohibits religious organizations from participating directly in political activities. Lee also faces allegations of obstruction related to the investigation.
The Seoul Central District Court approved the arrest warrant late Wednesday after determining there was a risk that evidence could be destroyed, according to reports from South Korean news outlets. Court officials did not immediately provide public comment on the ruling.
Lee appeared in court earlier in the day for a warrant hearing. Television footage and photographs showed the religious leader arriving with assistance from aides. Appearing physically frail, Lee declined to answer questions from reporters regarding the accusations against him.
Prosecutors have described the case as a potentially serious example of religious influence being used to shape political outcomes. Investigators allege that church members were encouraged to register with the People Power Party and support preferred candidates during the party’s presidential and parliamentary nomination processes, including contests connected to the 2022 presidential election and the 2024 legislative elections.
Authorities argue that Lee occupied the highest position in the alleged operation and exercised direct influence over decisions involving the mobilization of followers. Investigators say the scale and organization of the recruitment effort suggest a coordinated strategy rather than individual political participation by church members.
Lee has denied any wrongdoing.
The Shincheonji Church of Jesus has long been one of South Korea’s most controversial religious organizations. Lee, who refers to himself as a messianic figure, founded the movement decades ago and built it into a nationwide religious network with a substantial following. The church has frequently faced criticism from mainstream Christian denominations, many of which have characterized it as a cult and accused it of using manipulative recruitment methods.
Shincheonji became internationally known during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 when South Korean health authorities linked a large share of the country’s initial coronavirus infections to gatherings involving church members. The outbreak triggered intense public scrutiny of the organization and its leadership.
Lee was subsequently charged with violating public health regulations and other offenses related to the handling of the outbreak. However, he was acquitted in 2021 of allegations that he had obstructed disease-control efforts.
The current investigation focuses not on public health issues but on whether religious authority was used to influence political processes. Prosecutors have increasingly examined the role of religious groups in South Korean politics amid concerns that organized faith communities may have sought to shape election outcomes through coordinated membership drives and political engagement.
The case involving Shincheonji is part of a broader inquiry into alleged political activities by religious organizations. Prosecutors are also investigating claims involving the Unification Church, another high-profile religious movement that has faced scrutiny over allegations that members were encouraged to join political parties and cultivate relationships with elected officials through donations and other forms of support.
The investigations have reignited debate in South Korea over the appropriate separation between religion and politics. Critics argue that organized efforts by religious groups to influence party structures undermine democratic processes, while supporters of religious organizations contend that individual members retain the right to participate in politics as private citizens.
Legal experts say the case against Lee could become one of the most consequential tests of South Korea’s restrictions on religious involvement in political affairs. If prosecutors are able to demonstrate that the recruitment efforts were directed by church leadership rather than undertaken voluntarily by individual members, the case could establish a significant precedent for future investigations involving religious organizations and elections.
For now, Lee’s arrest signals a dramatic escalation in the probe and places one of South Korea’s most prominent religious figures at the center of a legal battle that could have lasting implications for both the country’s political system and its religious landscape.
