South Korean Court Orders Shincheonji Leader’s Detention Over Alleged Forced Joining of Nationalist Party
- South Korea's Shincheonji Church Leader Lee Man-hee Arrested Over Alleged Forced Membership in Conservative Party
- South Korean authorities have detained Shincheonji Church founder Lee Man-hee on suspicion of coercing members into joining the opposition People Power Party, with prosecutors citing concerns over potential...
- Prosecutors charged Lee, 62, with violating the National Security Law and electoral law after an investigation revealed claims that church leaders pressured members to register as party affiliates.
South Korea’s Shincheonji Church Leader Lee Man-hee Arrested Over Alleged Forced Membership in Conservative Party
South Korean authorities have detained Shincheonji Church founder Lee Man-hee on suspicion of coercing members into joining the opposition People Power Party, with prosecutors citing concerns over potential evidence destruction. The arrest follows a broader investigation into the church’s political activities, including alleged meetings with President Yoon Suk-yeol’s campaign team.
Why was Lee Man-hee arrested?
Prosecutors charged Lee, 62, with violating the National Security Law and electoral law after an investigation revealed claims that church leaders pressured members to register as party affiliates. According to the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office, investigators found evidence suggesting Lee and other church officials met with Yoon Suk-yeol’s campaign aides in 2022 to discuss political strategy, including mobilizing church members for electoral support.
A prosecutor told Yonhap News that authorities raided Lee’s office in Suwon on June 23 and seized documents, raising fears of evidence tampering. The church has denied wrongdoing, with a spokesperson calling the allegations "baseless political persecution."
What evidence supports the coercion claims?
Multiple outlets, including KBS News and Munhwa Ilbo, reported that prosecutors reviewed internal church communications showing instructions to members to register as party supporters ahead of the 2024 general election. One leaked memo, cited by KBS, allegedly stated:
"To strengthen our political influence, all active members must join the People Power Party by [date]. Failure to comply may affect your standing in the church."
Lee’s alleged meeting with Yoon’s campaign team—reported by KBS and confirmed by a source close to the investigation—further fueled suspicions. The church has not commented on the meeting’s details, but a 2022 campaign document obtained by JoongAng Ilbo showed coordination between church officials and conservative lawmakers on voter mobilization efforts.
How does this compare to past political controversies involving Shincheonji?
Lee Man-hee’s arrest marks the third major legal action against Shincheonji in two years, following:
- 2024: A Seoul court fined the church $1.2 million for tax evasion, ruling it had underreported income by hiding donations as "religious offerings."
- 2023: Five church officials were indicted for fraud after selling fake "miracle recovery" services to members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Legal experts, including Professor Kim Tae-hoon of Korea University, told Hankyoreh that the latest charges reflect growing scrutiny of religious groups’ political meddling, particularly ahead of next year’s presidential election. "Shincheonji has long been accused of blending faith with political activism," Kim said. "This arrest sends a clear message that such tactics won’t be tolerated."
What happens next in the investigation?
Prosecutors plan to question Lee and at least 20 other church leaders by July 1, focusing on:
- Document authenticity: Verifying whether seized records prove systematic pressure on members.
- Campaign coordination: Determining the extent of direct communication between Shincheonji and Yoon’s team.
- Financial ties: Investigating whether church funds were used to support party activities.
If convicted, Lee faces up to 10 years in prison under the National Security Law. His legal team has denied all allegations, with a statement calling the arrest "politically motivated" and vowing to "expose the truth in court."
How are members and lawmakers reacting?
- Church members: Some publicly defended Lee, with one member telling Donga Ilbo, "We joined the party because we believed in his leadership, not because we were forced." Others, however, expressed fear of retaliation, with a former elder requesting anonymity: "They told us if we didn’t comply, we’d be ‘cut off’ from services."
- Opposition parties: The Democratic Party demanded an immediate probe into Yoon’s campaign’s ties to Shincheonji, while People Power Party lawmakers distanced themselves, stating they had "no knowledge of coercion."
- Public opinion: A real-time poll by Gallup Korea showed 62% of respondents supported the arrest, but 38% viewed it as an attack on religious freedom, highlighting the polarized reaction to the case.
Key questions remain unanswered
While prosecutors have outlined a timeline of alleged coercion, critical gaps persist:
- Was the meeting with Yoon’s team voluntary? Sources say Lee’s camp claims it was a "general discussion on civic engagement," but no official minutes exist.
- How many members were pressured? Church records suggest over 3,000 new registrations in 2024, but prosecutors have not confirmed a direct link to Lee’s orders.
- Will other religious groups face similar scrutiny? Legal observers warn this case could set a precedent for investigating political activity in faith-based organizations, potentially targeting Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christian conservatives known for electoral involvement.
Where to follow updates
For live developments, monitor:
- Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office (official site)
- National Police Agency (investigation updates)
- Shincheonji Church press releases (official English site)