safety
Leader of secretive South Korean church arrested on suspicion of election influence
By Kimi Tong-Hyung, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 24, 2026
· 3 min read
The leader of a secretive South Korean church was arrested on suspicion of election influence Wednesday as authorities widened an investigation into allegations that he illegally recruited thousands of followers into the conservative People Power Party. The Shincheonji Church has denied the accus...
Key takeaway The Shincheonji Church has denied the accusations against Lee Man-hee, 95, a self-proclaimed messenger of Jesus who founded the congregation in the 1980s.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The arrest of Lee Man-hee, leader of the Shincheonji Church, on suspicion of election influence in South Korea may seem like a distant issue, but it has implications for San Antonio 's own community. As a city with a significant presence of international organizations and a diverse population, San Antonio is not immune to the influence of global events. The investigation into the Shincheonji Church's alleged ties to politicians serves as a reminder that the intersection of religion and politics can have far-reaching consequences. In San Antonio, where community and faith-based organizations play a vital role in shaping public policy, it is crucial to maintain transparency and accountability in their interactions with local government and politicians. The city's own experience with community engagement and grassroots organizing can inform its approach to ensuring that local organizations, regardless of their size or influence, operate with integrity and adhere to democratic principles.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The leader of a secretive South Korean church was arrested on suspicion of election influence Wednesday as authorities widened an investigation into allegations that he illegally recruited thousands of followers into the conservative People Power Party. The Shincheonji Church has denied the accus...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kimi Tong-Hyung, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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