The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
  • Economic Essay Contest
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Thu, January 28, 2021 | 01:41
Law & Crime
Shincheonji leader arrested on charges of obstructing anti-virus response
Posted : 2020-08-01 10:45
Updated : 2020-08-02 20:25
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
Shincheonji leader Lee Man-hee / Korea Times file
Shincheonji leader Lee Man-hee / Korea Times file

The leader of a minor religious sect at the center of the early coronavirus outbreak in South Korea was arrested early Saturday for allegedly obstructing the government's efforts to contain the spread of the pandemic.

A local court in Suwon, south of Seoul, issued an arrest warrant for Lee Man-hee, the founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus.

Lee, 89, is suspected of submitting false documents to health authorities on the number of participants at the sect's gatherings and where the gatherings took place in February, when the fringe religious sect became a hot spot of the virus spread in the early phase of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

He is also accused of embezzling 5.6 billion won ($4.68 million) from church funds and holding unauthorized religious events from 2015-19.

"There is some room for contention about the suspect's alleged crimes, but some charges have been ascertained. Moreover, there have been circumstances indicating systematic attempts to destroy evidence. Considering his status, it cannot be ruled out that there will be similar attempts in the future," said Judge Lee Myeong-chul.

The judge also noted that Lee is old and has chronic ailments but is not deemed unfit for imprisonment.

Prosecutors questioned him twice, on July 17 and 23, and filed for his arrest warrant Tuesday. The court held a hearing to review the request Friday.

Seven senior officials from the group's headquarters were indicted on July 28 on charges including violation of the infectious disease control law and obstruction of justice. Three of them were arrested on July 8.

Some 4,000 followers, most of whom were from its branch in the southeastern city of Daegu, were infected with the coronavirus.

South Korea's COVID-19 caseload was at 14,305 as of Friday, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). More than 5,000 of them are infections associated with Shincheonji. (Yonhap)











 
WooriBank
 
  • What to expect from the Fed's first FOMC meeting of 2021
  • SsangYong faces receivership as Mahindra-HAAH deal collapses
  • Budget airline industry faces major changes with new players, merger
  • Are Kakao boss' children being prepared for future succession?
  • COVID-19 survivors suffering from aftereffects
  • AmorePacific aims for rebound through collaboration with Off-White
  • New infections bounce back to over 500
  • Childbirths hit record low in November; deaths rise to highest in 37 years
  • S&P highlights Hyundai, Samsung, LG, SK betting on futuristic cars
  • Chinese man gets jail term for helping foreign nationals enter Korea illegally
  • Actress and model Song Yu-jung dies at 26 Actress and model Song Yu-jung dies at 26
  • More K-pop singers contribute to animation soundtracks More K-pop singers contribute to animation soundtracks
  • TXT's first Japanese album 'STILL DREAMING' dominates Oricon Chart TXT's first Japanese album 'STILL DREAMING' dominates Oricon Chart
  • AFI Awards: 'Minari' among the Best Films of 2020 AFI Awards: 'Minari' among the Best Films of 2020
  • 'Apres-Girl' revisits Korea's first female film director Park Nam-ok 'Apres-Girl' revisits Korea's first female film director Park Nam-ok
DARKROOM
  • Biden takes office as 46th president

    Biden takes office as 46th president

  • Biden-Harris inauguration is taking shape

    Biden-Harris inauguration is taking shape

  • Second Trump impeachment

    Second Trump impeachment

  • Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol

    Pro-Trump rioters breach the US Capitol

  • Our children deserve better (Part 2)

    Our children deserve better (Part 2)

WooriBank
  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • 고충처리인
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright