South Korea arrests Shincheonji church leader for meddling in politics

A South Korean court ordered the arrest of Lee Man-hee, the founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, over allegations he orchestrated an illegal scheme for followers to join a political party, news reports said.



Lee, 95, is accused of violating the Political Parties Act, which bans religious groups from involvement in politics, and obstruction, for directing tens of thousands of followers to join the conservative People Power Party ahead of major elections.



The court late on Wednesday cited the risk of evidence destruction by Lee, according to reports. Officials at the Seoul Central District Court could not immediately be reached for comment early on Thursday.



In court earlier on Wednesday for a warrant hearing, appearing frail and supported by aides, Lee did not answer questions about the charges against him.



The self-proclaimed messiah Lee founded Shincheonji in the 1980s. Many mainstream Christian groups have described it as a "brainwashing cult".