A court in
It was during that month that the fringe religious group became a hot spot for the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
Lee is also accused of embezzling some
The court observed that several of the charges have been "ascertained" and that there have been circumstances indicating systematic attempts to destroy evidence by Lee and a risk of similar attempts being made in the future.
Prosecutors questioned him twice last month, filed the arrest request on Tuesday, and the court held a hearing to review it on Friday.
In July, seven other senior members of the sect were also accused of obstructing investigations and violating infectious disease control laws, with three of them arrested.
Some 4,000 Shincheonji members, mainly from the city of Daegu, about 230 kilometers (143 miles) southeast of
This figure is more than one-third of the total confirmed cases (14,305) recorded in the country so far.
Some privy to the activities of the group regard it as destructive because of the effect it has had on some of its members, who cut off all ties with friends and family, and the secrecy concerning many of its activities, including maneuvers to gain new followers. EFE
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