"Why Are You Coming Out There?"... Shincheonji Chairman Appears at LE SSERAFIM's Airport Arrival Gate

Chairman Lee Man-hee of Shincheonji Completes Overseas Schedule
Encounters Crowd Awaiting Girl Group LE SSERAFIM's Return

Fans waiting at the airport for the girl group LE SSERAFIM, returning from their U.S. schedule, unexpectedly spotted a man. It was Lee Man-hee, the 92-year-old Chairman of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony. On the 22nd, the arrival hall of Terminal 1 at Incheon International Airport was crowded with fans and reporters waiting for LE SSERAFIM, who had just finished their performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Among them, male security guards were also stationed, creating a dense crowd.

[Photo by Dispatch YouTube Channel]

Suddenly, the person who appeared was not LE SSERAFIM but Chairman Lee Man-hee. It was reported that Chairman Lee had recently visited the Philippines for lectures related to Shincheonji. Upon seeing the sea of people, Chairman Lee appeared somewhat flustered. However, when a woman presumed to be an aide approached saying, "Welcome. We will escort you this way," he briskly walked through the crowd along with the security personnel.

[Photo by Dispatch YouTube channel]

The fans waiting for LE SSERAFIM were equally surprised. Some said, "Oh, Shincheonji..." while others curiously took photos of Chairman Lee with their phone cameras. The scene was captured by reporters waiting for LE SSERAFIM’s arrival and spread as a video. Netizens who saw it reacted with comments like, "It’s so random it’s funny," and "Lee Man-hee, why are you there?"

LE SSERAFIM appeared in the arrival hall about seven minutes after Chairman Lee left. The members covered their faces with hats and masks, waved their hands, and quickly left the airport.

Previously, Chairman Lee was indicted in 2020 for obstructing COVID-19 quarantine measures. He was accused of submitting false documents by downplaying the list of believers and meeting locations. Since this was during the early spread of COVID-19, there was strong public criticism toward Chairman Lee and Shincheonji for continuing religious gatherings recklessly. However, in 2022, the Supreme Court acquitted him of charges related to violations of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.