Authorities arrest South Korean church leader

South Korean police arrests a leader of a secretive church on suspicion of influencing presidential and legislative primary elections between 2021 and 2024.

A special team of prosecutors and police in South Korea has been investigating alleged ties between politicians and religious groups since January as part of an extended investigation over the presidency of the former conservative leader, Yoon Suk Yeol.

Founder of the Shincheonji Church Lee Man-hee, a self-proclaimed messenger of Jesus with a 200,000-strong following, has been taken into custody.

The 95-year-old is suspected of pressuring more than 50,000 followers to join the People Power Party to influence the presidential and legislative primaries.

The court also cited a threat of Lee destroying evidence.

Meanwhile, the church denies accusations against Lee Man-hee and raises concerns about his health.