Shincheonji founder detained over alleged plot to influence elections

Lee Man-hee, the founder of the religious group Shincheonji Church of Jesus, has been detained on suspicion of orchestrating a large-scale recruitment of his followers into the conservative People Power Party. A judge at the Seoul Central District Court issued a detention warrant for Lee, citing concerns about the potential destruction of evidence.

The allegations center on Lee's purported role in having approximately 50,000 Shincheonji followers join the People Power Party. The stated purpose was to influence the outcomes of the party's 2021 presidential primary and the 2024 general election. The joint prosecution-police investigation team, focusing on religious-political collusion, claims that Shincheonji implemented a systematic strategy, codenamed "Operation Pilates," which involved setting regional quotas and employing various methods to ensure party membership among its adherents.

The timeframe of the alleged operation significantly overlaps with former President Yoon Suk-yeol's rise to power and his subsequent term in office. This investigation into political manipulation by a religious group has raised significant concerns about undue influence in South Korean politics.

This action follows the earlier custody of three individuals on June 17, including Go Dong-an, identified as a former executive and close associate of Lee, believed to be the second-highest-ranking figure within the church. The investigation team formally sought an arrest warrant for Lee on June 22, leading to his subsequent detention.