Shincheonji leader questioned as suspect over alleged forced PPP membership scheme

By Choi Eui-jong, The Herald Business

A joint prosecution-police task force investigating alleged ties between religion and politics questioned Shincheonji Church of Jesus Chairman Lee Man-hee as a suspect on Thursday.

The task force, led by Kim Tae-hun, questioned Lee in the afternoon on suspicion of violating the Political Parties Act. It was the first time the task force — established in January — had summoned Lee as a suspect.

Lee arrived at the task force's offices at the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu at around 12:43 p.m. and walked inside without responding to reporters' questions. Those questions included whether he had forced church members to join the People Power Party, whether he had lobbied the PPP on pending issues, and whether he had met privately with former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

According to the task force, Lee is suspected of coercing Shincheonji followers into registering as full members of the People Power Party with the aim of influencing the PPP's 20th presidential primary in 2021 and the party's 22nd general election primary in 2024.

The task force launched its full-scale investigation in January and February, conducting search and seizure operations at Shincheonji's general assembly headquarters and the PPP's party offices, respectively. Investigators are reported to have secured membership rosters and party registration records.

Last month, the task force twice summoned a former secretary-general surnamed Ko, considered the second-most powerful figure in Shincheonji, for questioning on suspicion of violating the Political Parties Act.