Leader of Controversial South Korean Church Arrested Over Election Claims
South Korean authorities have arrested Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus. The arrest follows allegations that the religious leader tried to illegally influence political elections in the country. Lee, who describes himself as a messenger of Jesus, is a well-known but controversial figure in South Korea.
The Shincheonji Church is often described as a secretive organization. Since its founding, it has grown significantly and now has a large number of followers both in South Korea and abroad. However, the group has frequently faced criticism from mainstream religious organizations and the public.
This is not the first time Lee Man-hee and his church have been under investigation. In 2020, the group gained international attention during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, the church was accused of failing to cooperate with health officials, which led to a major outbreak among its members in the city of Daegu.
In response to the recent arrest, the Shincheonji Church has issued a statement denying all accusations. The church claims that Lee Man-hee has not interfered in any political processes and that the investigation is based on false information. They have asked for a fair trial and expressed concern over the treatment of their leader.
As the investigation continues, Lee Man-hee remains in custody. The case has sparked a wide debate in South Korea about the influence of religious groups on democracy and the law. Government officials have stated that they will continue to look into the church's activities to ensure that all laws were followed during past elections.