Shincheonji leader to hold press conference
Lee Man-hee, founder and leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said Monday its founder Lee Man-hee will hold a press conference at the church's training center in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, at 3 p.m.
“Lee will take part in the press conference,” Shincheonji in a statement. The venue is in the basement of the Palace of Peace, the training center.
Shincheonji ― an offshoot of Christianity ― is at the center of a rapid increase in coronavirus cases in South Korea. Nearly 60 percent of domestic infections (4,212 cases as of Monday noon) are linked to Shincheonji.
Lee is the target of a criminal investigation. The prosecution is investigating him at the request of Seoul City, which claims the religious leader is responsible for his followers not cooperating with the government's nationwide fight against coronavirus.
Lee has tested negative for the virus, according to Shincheonji.