(LEAD) Court grants arrest warrant for Shincheonji sect leader over forced PPP memberships (opens original article in a new tab)

A Seoul court issued an arrest warrant for Shincheonji Church founder Lee Man-hee over allegations he forced followers to join the main opposition People Power Party, citing evidence destruction concerns.

• A Seoul court issued an arrest warrant for Shincheonji Church founder Lee Man-hee over allegations of forcing members to join the PPP.
• Lee is accused of obstructing business and violating the Political Parties Act by compelling 56,472 followers to join the PPP between 2021 and 2024.
• The court cited concerns of evidence destruction in granting the warrant, with Lee denying the allegations.