Lee Man-hee, the leader of the Shinchonji Church of Jesus, has been granted a temporary release on September 17 after being charged with directing his followers to join the People Power Party.
According to legal sources on September 16, the Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 27 accepted Lee's request for a temporary release.
This temporary release is a provision that allows for short-term release due to urgent circumstances such as serious illness, childbirth, or family funerals. Lee reportedly requested his release on health grounds.
As per the court's decision, Lee will be temporarily released from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on September 17.
Previously, Lee had applied for a temporary release on August 25 due to health issues. The court accepted this request on August 31 and later granted an extension, allowing him to remain free until September 11.
Lee has been charged with facilitating the membership of over 56,000 Shinchonji followers in the People Power Party between June 2021 and April 2024, around the time of the 20th presidential election and the 22nd general election.
Additionally, he is facing trial for allegedly evading corporate taxes and value-added taxes amounting to approximately 7.57 billion won from 2016 to 2020.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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