Tag: shincheonji

shincheonji

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95-year-old Shincheonji leader arrested over alleged forced PPP memberships

Lee Man-hee was taken into custody as investigators probe allegations that he ordered more than 50,000 followers to join the People Power Party.

2026.6.25

Lee Man-hee, leader of religious sect Shincheonji, attends a questioning session held by law enforcement authorities in southern Seoul on June 4.

Arrest warrant sought for Shincheonji founder over 'Pilates Project' collusion suspicions

Investigators say church head Lee Man-hee coerced members to join the PPP through a campaign that allegedly enrolled more than 50,000 members.

2026.6.22

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Shincheonji official attends a questioning session held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho District, southern Seoul, on June 17.

Seoul court arrests ex-Shincheonji leaders for allegedly forcing church members to join PPP

A Seoul court issued arrest warrants for three former Shincheonji officials accused of coercing followers to join the People Power Party to sway primary elections from 2021 to 2024.

2026.6.18

Lee Man-hee, center, the founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, appears at the office of a prosecution-police task force in Seoul on June 4 to undergo questioning on suspicions of violating the Political Parties Act. [YONHAP]

Shincheonji sect leader probed over allegations of forced party memberships, political ties

Investigators on Thursday questioned the founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a nonmainstream religious sect, over suspicions he forced church members to join the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) ahead of elections in 2021 and 2024.

2026.6.4

Members of a joint prosecution-police investigation team search the People Power Party’s central headquarters in Yeouido, western Seoul, on March 3. [YONHAP]

Investigators again raid Shincheonji headquarters over alleged political collusion

A joint prosecution-police team investigating suspected collusion between politics and religion again raided the Shincheonji Church of Jesus as part of a probe into its alleged ties to the main opposition People Power Party (PPP).

2026.3.11

The People Power Party headquarters is seen in Yeouido, western Seoul on March 3. [NEWS1]

Investigators launch second raid at PPP headquarters over Shincheonji allegations

Investigators on Tuesday raided the headquarters of the PPP in Yeouido, western Seoul, as part of an investigation into allegations that members of Shincheonji joined the party en masse with the intent to influence internal party votes.

2026.3.3

The Shincheonji Church of Jesus headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi, is seen as search and seizure operations are underway on Jan. 30. [NEWS1]

Joint task force reopens tax evasion case against Shincheonji Church

A joint prosecution-police task force investigating allegations that religious groups lobbied political circles has reopened a tax evasion case against the Shincheonji Church of Jesus.

2026.2.19

Lee Man-hee, founder and leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, holds a news conference at the Shincheonji Peace Palace in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi, on March 2, 2020. [JOONGANG ILBO]

Shincheonji dogged by embezzlement allegations over legal defense fund to protect founder

The Shincheonji Church of Jesus raised about 17 billion won ($12 million) from its followers to defend its founder, Lee Man-hee, as he faced criminal investigations tied to the Covid-19 outbreak and alleged financial crimes.

2026.2.9

Lee Man-hee, founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, in March 2020. [YONHAP]

Authorities say Shincheonji leader 'cooked up' connections to evade tax probe

Recordings have emerged that allegedly show an organized lobbying effort targeting political and legal circles during the Covid-19 pandemic to head off a tax audit and a prosecutors’ probe. Authorities broaden their investigation into the matter.

2026.2.5

The headquarters of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus is seen in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi, on Jan. 26. [SON SUNG-BAE]

Beleaguered Shincheonji Church slams joint probe, points to 'persecution' and past legal victories

The Shincheonji Church of Jesus denounced investigations alleging collusion with politics, emphasizing past legal victories and urging member unity amid scrutiny over coercive practices and financial exploitation claims.

2026.2.3