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Shincheonji founder's appearance draws attention
Lee Man-hee, founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus listens to his secretary during a press conference held in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, Monday. / Yonhap
By Kim Se-jeong
By Kim Se-jeong
The press conference on the ongoing coronavirus epidemic held Monday by Lee Nam-hee, the founder of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, has been attracting a great deal of public attention. The majority of coronavirus patients here are members of Lee's controversial church, considered a heretical sect by mainstream Christian religions here.
Dressed in a grey suit and wearing a yellow tie from luxury brand Hermes, the 88-year-old apologized for his sect's role in the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Pictures of a watch he was wearing showed the name of disgraced former President Park Geun-hye and the seal of the presidential office engraved on it, triggering speculations about a political connection to the former head of state.
Pro-Park Geun-hye politicians reacted by saying the watch was a fake and used as a tool by Lee to flaunt his power.
But politicians opposed to Park allowed speculation to become rampant. Political heavyweight Park Jie-won said Park may have had the watch made for Lee. The Shincheonji Church later said it was a gift given by a church member six or seven years ago.
People also talked about color of Lee's eyes.
During the conference, Naver users made comments such as: “Look at his eyes. He doesn't have any sclera. How is it possible?” and “It's scary.”
Lee appeared to have difficulty with his speech and hearing during the press conference.
He once said cholera instead of corona and struggled to speak in complete sentences. His personal secretary standing next to him repeated questions from journalists.
Lee said he had tested negative for the coronavirus at a local hospital and showed a document issued by the hospital containing the result.
However, he had another test later in the day, pressured by Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myeong who demanded he be tested at a public health clinic where everybody could see the results. The governor warned Lee that he had the power to detain him if he refused to cooperate.
Lee again tested negative for the virus.