Lee Man-hee is accused of having around 50,000 followers join the conservative party in a bid to influence the outcome of its presidential primary in 2021 and the general election in 2024
Lee Man-hee, the founder of the religious group Shincheonji, arrives at Seoul Central District Court on June 24, 2026, to appear before a warrant judge. (Yonhap)
The founder of the religious group Shincheonji Church of Jesus has been placed in detention on suspicion of pushing his followers to join the People Power Party en masse.A judge at the Seoul Central District Court issued a detention warrant for Lee Man-hee, citing concerns about the destruction of evidence as the religious leader faces investigation on alleged violations of the Political Parties Act. Lee is accused of having 50,000 or so of his followers join the conservative People Power Party for the purpose of influencing the results of the party’s 2021 presidential primary and 2024 general election. The joint prosecution-police investigation team for religious-political collusion in charge of the investigation claims that Shincheonji set a quota for each region and had church members systematically join the party through various methods in what was codenamed “Operation Pilates.” The timeframe in question largely overlaps with former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s rise to the presidency and his time in office. Three individuals were taken into custody on June 17, including Go Dong-an, a former executive and close affiliate of Lee believed to be second in command at the church. The joint investigation team sought a further warrant for Lee’s arrest on June 22.By Kim Ji-eun, staff reporterPlease direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]
