South Korean court hears Shincheonji leader Lee Man‑hee over alleged forced People Power Party memberships

Lee Man‑hee, the 95‑year‑old head of the Shincheonji cult, appeared before the Seoul Central District Court on March 24 for a pre‑detention hearing on charges of violating South Korea’s Political Parties Act. Prosecutors allege that Lee directed followers to join the People Power Party (Gukminui Him) in organized waves, aiming to influence the 2022 presidential and subsequent legislative primaries. The joint police‑prosecutor investigation estimates more than 56,000 Shincheonji members were enrolled, with directives traced from Lee through the church hierarchy to local branch leaders.

Lee declined to answer questions about whether he personally ordered the enrollments or sought to support former President Yoon Suk‑yeol. Evidence includes a list of enrolled members that was reportedly passed to a campaign official. The court will consider Lee’s advanced age and health when deciding on the issuance of a detention warrant. The case highlights concerns over religious groups’ involvement in party politics and the legal limits of such influence in South Korea.