Shincheonji leader remains behind bars after court denies detention review

Lee Man-hee, the leader of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a nonmainstream religious sect, will remain in custody after a court on Sunday upheld his detention over allegations that he orchestrated the mass enrollment of church members into the conservative People Power Party (PPP).

The Seoul Central District Court dismissed Lee’s request to review the legality of his detention, as “there were no grounds for the petition.”

With the request denied, Lee will remain in custody as the investigation continues.

Lee was arrested on Wednesday on charges of violating the Political Parties Act after he allegedly coerced church members to join the PPP between 2021 and 2024 to influence the party’s presidential and parliamentary primary elections. The act prohibits coercing individuals to join or withdraw from a political party.

At least 56,472 Shincheonji members across its regional branches joined the PPP under innocuous campaigns, such as the “Pilates Project,” according to a joint prosecution-police investigation team. The religious group reportedly used such names to make it appear as if organizers were gathering members for a club, rather than recruiting PPP members.

Investigators also suspect that Shincheonji organized the membership drive to help advance the church’s interests, including obtaining approval to change the designated use of church buildings.

Lee’s arrest warrant also included an obstruction of business charge, with investigators alleging that the campaign disrupted the PPP’s election-related operations.

The joint probe unit will question Lee about how he instructed church members to join the party and whether any politicians had requested or were involved in the case.

BY HAN YOUNG-HYE [[email protected]]