SEOUL — Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old leader of the Shincheonji Church, was arrested on Wednesday after the Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant. The court cited Lee as a threat to destroy evidence when issuing the warrant on Wednesday night. Authorities are investigating allegations that he illegally recruited thousands of followers into South Korea's People Power Party to influence elections and gain favorable treatment for the church.

Lee appeared at the Seoul Central District Court on Wednesday afternoon for a hearing on the arrest request. During his court appearance, he walked with a cane, assisted by a church official, and did not respond to reporters' questions.

Investigators suspect Lee used the church's regional branches to pressure more than 50,000 followers to join the People Power Party from 2021 to 2024. Investigators suspect the campaign was aimed at winning favorable treatment for the church, including permits to expand its facilities, and included efforts to support Yoon Suk Yeol's presidential bid. The Shincheonji Church denied the accusations against Lee.

Lee founded the church in 1984. The church states it has approximately 200,000 followers and describes Lee as "the Promised Pastor," an attendant of Jesus sent to testify what he claims are the fulfilled prophecies from the Book of Revelation. Other Christian groups have accused Lee of being a false prophet or a cult leader. The word Shincheonji means "new heaven and new earth."

A special team of prosecutors and police has been investigating alleged ties between religious groups, such as Shincheonji and the Unification Church, and politicians since January.