Verified chronology
Lee Man-hee: timeline of the case
Each entry distinguishes established facts from allegations. Allegations are labelled and remain the prosecution's claims unless and until judicially determined. Every entry links to its source.
Latest development · 13 July 2026
Mr. Lee was additionally indicted on the remaining Political Parties Act and obstruction-of-business charges. His trial is scheduled to open on 24 July 2026. No trial judgment exists; there has been no conviction or acquittal.
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A joint prosecutor–police task force investigates alleged links between religious groups and politics. Searches of Shincheonji facilities reportedly seize membership records and electronic data.
Source: Yonhap
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Mr. Lee appears voluntarily for questioning as a suspect. He denies the allegations during questioning, and later categorically denies them at the warrant hearing.
Source: Yonhap
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Investigators — the joint police–prosecution task force — apply for an arrest warrant, alleging Political Parties Act violations and obstruction of business. They allege that at least 56,472 members were enrolled in the People Power Party between July 2021 and January 2024, reportedly organised under an internal code name reported as the "Pilates project" (필라테스 프로젝트). This is the investigators' figure and allegation; a court has not ruled on it.
By the investigators' account the total breaks down as: Jul–Sep 2021, 6,482; Jan 2022, 2,873; Dec 2022 – Jan 2023, 35,073; Sep 2023 – Jan 2024, 12,044 — summing to 56,472.
Source: warrant application — Yonhap (22 Jun); the "at least 56,472" figure — Korea Times (29 Jun) and Korea Herald (24 Jun); breakdown — Hankyung (29 Jun)
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The Seoul Central District Court holds a warrant hearing. Mr. Lee appears with assistance because of his advanced age; his counsel argue he complied with all summonses and poses no flight risk. The court issues the warrant after the hearing, citing risk of evidence destruction, and Mr. Lee is taken into detention. The full written detention order has not been publicly released.
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Mr. Lee files a petition for review of the legality of his detention; the court dismisses it the same day.
Source: Asia Economy
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Prosecutors indict him while detained. The joint investigation team states it acted on these charges first because the five-year statute of limitations for the alleged July 2021 conduct was approaching, while the broader investigation continues. No trial judgment exists; there has been no conviction or acquittal.
Source: Korea JoongAng Daily; Yonhap
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The Minister of Justice, Jeong Seong-ho, publishes a statement on his official Facebook account describing the case as a serious crime for which "strict criminal punishment… is inevitable," and closing with a quotation of Matthew 7:15 ("Beware of false prophets"). What this may raise for the presumption of innocence and state neutrality toward religion is discussed on the Human Rights page.
Source: Jeong Seong-ho, official Facebook (29 Jun); reported by Newsis and Kukmin Ilbo (30 Jun)
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The joint investigation headquarters additionally indicts Mr. Lee on the remaining charges under the Political Parties Act and of obstruction of business, following the 29 June indictment which covered only the conduct nearing the statute of limitations. Seven current and former Shincheonji officials are indicted at the same time — three in custody, including former General Secretary Ko Dong-an, and four without detention. Investigators state the alleged instruction to enrol passed from the chairman through the general secretary to branch heads and church pastors. No trial judgment exists; there has been no conviction or acquittal.
Source: Yonhap, reported by Herald Economy and Hankook Ilbo (13 Jul)
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The Seoul Central District Court schedules the first hearing in Mr. Lee's trial on the Political Parties Act charges for 24 July 2026 at 9:50am, before Judge Lee Chun-geun of Criminal Division 1. Mr. Lee has been held in pretrial detention since 24 June 2026 — one month at the point the trial opens.
Source: Newsis (7 Jul)
Health note
Shincheonji Church of Jesus has stated publicly that Mr. Lee requires constant medical support and care in his daily life, that detention risks a rapid deterioration in his health, and that detaining a 95-year-old amounts in effect to imposing physical punishment in advance. The church also states that he has maintained a fixed address. He is 95 (born 1931).
A separate petition for review of the legality of his detention was filed on 26 June 2026 and dismissed by the court on 28 June; health was reported to be among the grounds argued.
Source: Shincheonji Church statement (24–25 June 2026), reported by News1 and Law Times. These outlets report that the church made this statement; no independent medical assessment of Mr. Lee's condition has been published.
Dates reflect reporting available at the time of writing; newer procedural developments — further hearings, rulings, or health updates — are added to this timeline as they are confirmed against live sources. Verify current status before relying on this chronology.