Shincheonji leader Lee Man-hee temporarily released until Sept. 4 for hospital treatment

Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, has been temporarily released from detention until 6 p.m. on Sept. 4 for hospital examinations and treatment.

The Seoul Central District Court’s Criminal Division 27 decided to suspend enforcement of his detention, according to legal sources. Lee’s lawyers applied for the measure on Aug. 25, saying they sought medical diagnosis and treatment before a decision on bail. Lee had already been released, according to the report.

The suspension pauses the enforcement of detention but does not cancel its legal effect. Under South Korea’s Criminal Procedure Act, a court may suspend detention for a defendant when there are substantial reasons, while placing the person under the care of relatives or an organization and restricting their residence.

Lee is standing trial over allegations that he directed followers, through senior church officials, to join the People Power Party during elections held in the 2020s. A joint investigation unit examining alleged collusion between religion and politics suspects that Shincheonji launched a project known as “Pilates” in 2023 to encourage party membership.

Investigators say the organization forced more than 50,000 followers to join the party against their will from 2021 onward. They also charged Lee with obstruction of business, alleging that the organized activity interfered with the party’s membership management and screening work.

Lee was indicted in custody on charges under the Political Parties Act and for obstruction of business. He later faced additional charges linked to alleged pressure on followers to join a particular party before the 2022 local elections, the 2023 People Power Party leadership contest and the 2024 parliamentary elections. The court held a hearing on his bail application on Aug. 21.

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We applied for the suspension of detention for hospital diagnosis and treatment before the bail decision.