South Korea's Shincheonji leader Lee Man-hee charged for forcing People Power Party membership

Lee Man‑hee, the head of the Shincheonji religious group, was indicted on charges of violating South Korea's political party law and obstructing business by coercing followers to join the centre‑right People Power Party (국민의힘). Prosecutors say at least 56,472 Shincheonji members were enrolled as party members between July 2021 and August 2023, organized through projects such as the "Pilates Project". Lee, along with three senior sect officials, was arrested and formally charged; four additional officials were charged without detention. The investigation also uncovered that a list of new party members had been provided to the campaign of former presidential candidate Yoon Suk‑yeol, though no criminal link was proven. Parallel probes into alleged embezzlement and tax evasion within Shincheonji continue. The case was brought before the Seoul Central District Court on 24 June.