South Korean court issues arrest warrant for church leader in election probe

A South Korean court issued an arrest warrant Wednesday for the 95-year-old leader of the Shincheonji Church on suspicion of directing followers to join the People Power Party. Prosecutors allege the recruitment effort, which they say involved more than 50,000 people between 2021 and 2024, was intended to influence party primaries and secure favorable treatment for the church.

The Shincheonji Church has denied the accusations.

Background of the investigation The arrest occurred as part of a wider inquiry that began in January into alleged ties between religious organizations and politicians. Authorities are examining whether the recruitment campaign was linked to efforts to obtain permits for expanding church facilities.

The same investigation has examined connections between other religious groups and former political figures. An appeals court in April sentenced the wife of a former president to four years in prison on charges including receiving luxury gifts from another religious organization.

Court proceedings Lee appeared at the Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday afternoon for a hearing on the arrest request. He walked with a cane and was assisted by a church official but did not respond to reporters' questions. The court approved the warrant that evening, stating Lee posed a risk of destroying evidence.

The church had previously raised concerns about his age and health but has not issued a statement since the warrant was granted.