South Korean Church Leader Arrested in Election Influence Probe
The head of a secretive South Korean church was taken into custody as part of an investigation into allegations of illegal recruitment to influence elections. The Shincheonji Church, led by Lee Man-hee, has been accused of recruiting followers into the People Power Party. Authorities have been looking into ties between religious groups and politicians, including the Unification Church, as part of broader investigations under South Korea's current liberal government.
Lee Man-hee, 95, appeared in court for a hearing on his arrest, where he was seen walking with a cane and assisted by a church official. The court granted the arrest warrant, citing Lee as a threat to destroy evidence. The church, with about 200,000 followers, did not immediately comment on his arrest. Lee is suspected of pressuring over 50,000 followers to join the People Power Party in hopes of gaining favorable treatment for the church.
The arrest of Lee comes after the arrest and indictment of Unification Church leader Hak Ja Han over allegations of bribery. Han, widow of the church's founder Sun Myung Moon, denied the allegations. Yoon Suk Yeol, the former conservative leader who was ousted from office and convicted of rebellion, is facing multiple trials. The current liberal President Lee Jae Myung has authorized investigations into Yoon's administration and wife.
Lee Man-hee founded Shincheonji in 1984 and has been accused by other Christian groups of being a false prophet or cult leader. The church describes him as "the Promised Pastor," sent to testify fulfilled prophecies from the Book of Revelation. Han is the top leader of the Unification Church, founded by Moon in 1954, known for its mass weddings and international following.
In conclusion, the arrest of Lee Man-hee and the ongoing investigations into religious groups' ties with politicians highlight the complex relationship between faith and politics in South Korea. The legal proceedings involving church leaders and political figures underscore the importance of transparency and accountability in the country's governance.