"Chairman Lee Man-hee's Car Must Never Stop" - Shincheonji's Internal Protocol Sparking Public OutrageOver Illegal Traffic Control

The Shocking Revelation: A Religious Leader's 'Presidential' Treatment

Did you know that in South Korea, a religious leader has been traveling with presidential-level security protocols? The controversial leader of Shincheonji, Lee Man-hee, has been caught operating an illegal traffic control system that would make even government officials envious. According to exclusive JTBC reporting on July 15th, 2025, internal documents revealed a chilling directive within the religious organization: 'Chairman Lee Man-hee's car must never stop.'

This shocking revelation has sent waves of outrage across South Korean society, as ordinary citizens discovered that they've been unknowingly inconvenienced by what essentially amounts to a cult leader's delusions of grandeur. The 94-year-old leader, who claims to be the promised pastor mentioned in the Bible, has been treating public roads as his personal highway, complete with sirens, escort vehicles, and illegal traffic blockades that would normally be reserved for heads of state.

The investigation has uncovered a sophisticated operation involving multiple vehicles, trained drivers from various regional branches, and a complete disregard for traffic laws. What's particularly disturbing is how this has been happening for years, right under the noses of law enforcement and government officials, raising serious questions about oversight and accountability in South Korea's religious sector.

The Philippines Connection: Where It All Began

The story of Lee Man-hee's illegal convoy system traces back to an eye-opening experience in the Philippines. According to former Shincheonji insiders interviewed by JTBC, Lee Man-hee had previously traveled to the Philippines where he experienced police escort services - a legitimate service that anyone can purchase in that country.

Video footage from that trip shows Lee Man-hee waving from his car window with obvious satisfaction as Filipino police officers provided professional escort services. One former Shincheonji official explained that Lee Man-hee was extremely pleased with this treatment, describing how the procession looked impressive and gave him a sense of importance he craved.

Upon returning to South Korea, Lee Man-hee immediately inquired about receiving similar police escort services domestically. However, unlike in the Philippines, such services are not available for purchase by private citizens in South Korea - they're reserved for government officials and visiting dignitaries only. This restriction didn't deter the ambitious religious leader; instead, it sparked a years-long effort to recreate the experience through illegal means.

When legitimate private convoy companies quoted prices exceeding 5 million won (approximately $3,800 USD) for a single trip from their location to KINTEX, Lee Man-hee's organization decided to create their own solution: the 'Volunteer Traffic Department' staffed entirely by devoted followers.

The 'Volunteer Traffic Department': A Cult's Private Army

Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of this entire operation is how Shincheonji systematically recruited and trained its own members to serve as Lee Man-hee's personal traffic control force. According to testimonies from former members, each regional branch of Shincheonji was instructed to identify members with excellent driving skills and quick decision-making abilities for this special 'volunteer' role.

These selected members underwent intensive training to execute what they called 'convoy operations.' The training was so thorough that former bodyguard testimonies describe scenarios where 'if Lee Man-hee's car needed to make a U-turn but oncoming traffic was approaching, two convoy cars would block the road to allow the maneuver.' This level of coordination required significant practice and planning.

The operation involved 10-15 black luxury sedans equipped with illegal red and blue emergency lights, giving the impression of an official government convoy. Former insiders revealed that participants would dress in dark suits and sunglasses, positioning themselves strategically to block intersections and control traffic flow. The psychological effect was intentional - ordinary citizens would assume a high-ranking government official or foreign dignitary was passing through.

What makes this particularly egregious is that these 'volunteers' were essentially unpaid cult members who risked legal consequences to fulfill their leader's grandiose fantasies. The organization showed complete disregard for both traffic laws and the safety of their own members, treating legal penalties as mere operating costs rather than deterrents.

The Illegal Operations: Breaking Laws with Impunity

The scope of Shincheonji's illegal traffic operations was breathtaking in its audacity. Video evidence obtained by JTBC shows black sedans equipped with illegal emergency lights leading convoys of 10-15 vehicles through both urban streets and highways. According to South Korean traffic law, only emergency vehicles such as police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks are permitted to use sirens and emergency lights.

Former bodyguard testimonies reveal the extent of the lawbreaking: 'Whether on highways or regular roads, Lee Man-hee's car never stops. We installed police-like red and blue lights, so people would think, Oh, there must be some VIP passing through.' The operation was so brazen that participants would use emergency equipment to part traffic, ignore traffic signals, and block intersections as needed.

The financial cost of these illegal activities was substantial but treated as routine business expenses. Former participants reported that each convoy operation would typically result in fines of approximately 500,000 won (about $380 USD) per vehicle. Rather than deterring the behavior, these penalties were simply absorbed by the organization as operational costs. 'We just pay the fines,' one former member explained matter-of-factly.

Public reaction has been swift and harsh, with many citizens expressing outrage at learning they had been unknowingly inconvenienced by what they assumed were legitimate government operations. Social media platforms have been flooded with criticism, with many users demanding accountability not just from Shincheonji but from the authorities who failed to prevent these operations for years.

Community Reactions: Public Outrage and Political Implications

The revelation of Lee Man-hee's illegal convoy operations has triggered intense public discourse across South Korean online communities. On popular platforms like Naver and DC Inside, users have expressed a mixture of disbelief and anger at the audacity of the operations. Many comments focus on the fundamental unfairness of a cult leader receiving better treatment than ordinary citizens, with some users sarcastically noting that even government ministers don't receive such elaborate security details.

Political implications have emerged as opposition parties have seized on the controversy to question potential government connections. Democratic Party spokesperson Lee Na-young issued a statement demanding thorough investigation into who might have protected or provided special treatment to Lee Man-hee, specifically questioning whether President Yoon Suk-yeol's previously reported connections to Shincheonji might have influenced law enforcement's response to these illegal activities.

The controversy has also reignited broader discussions about religious freedom versus public safety in South Korea. Many online commentators have pointed out that while religious freedom is constitutionally protected, using that freedom to inconvenience ordinary citizens and break traffic laws crosses a clear line. The fact that this occurred over multiple years without intervention has raised questions about regulatory oversight of religious organizations.

International observers have noted how this incident reflects broader issues with cult-like religious organizations in South Korea, where charismatic leaders can sometimes operate with minimal oversight until scandals break into public consciousness. The Shincheonji organization's history of controversial practices, including aggressive recruitment tactics and COVID-19 outbreak concealment, has made this latest revelation particularly damaging to their public image.

Legal Consequences and Future Implications

Law enforcement response to the Shincheonji convoy scandal has been swift, with police confirming that four drivers involved in the illegal operations have been charged and are under investigation. The investigation is expanding to determine who specifically ordered the traffic control operations and vehicle modifications, suggesting that higher-level organization members may face criminal charges.

The legal ramifications extend beyond traffic violations to potentially include charges related to impersonating government officials, organized criminal activity, and public safety endangerment. Legal experts have noted that the systematic nature of these operations, involving multiple vehicles and coordinated illegal activities over extended periods, could result in serious criminal penalties rather than simple traffic citations.

This scandal has also highlighted the need for stronger regulatory oversight of religious organizations in South Korea. Lee Man-hee's previous conviction for embezzlement and his controversial 'VIP treatment' during court-ordered compliance education have raised questions about whether current laws adequately address the potential for religious leaders to abuse their positions.

For international observers, this incident serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for religious organizations to operate outside normal legal boundaries when proper oversight is lacking. The fact that these operations continued for years without detection suggests systemic issues that may require legislative action to address effectively.

As investigations continue, public attention remains focused on ensuring that all responsible parties face appropriate consequences and that measures are implemented to prevent similar abuses in the future. The Shincheonji organization's silence in response to these revelations has only intensified public criticism and calls for accountability.