Korean sect leader to face murder charge over coronavirus spread

You're referring to the recent news about the Korean sect leader, Lee Man-hee, who is facing murder charges related to the spread of COVID-19.

Lee Man-hee is the founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a Christian sect in South Korea. In February 2020, the church was linked to a significant outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, with many of its members testing positive for the virus.

According to reports, Lee Man-hee had been aware of the outbreak within the church as early as January 2020, but he allegedly failed to take adequate measures to prevent the spread of the virus, including not reporting the cases to the authorities in a timely manner.

As a result, many of the church's members, including elderly and vulnerable individuals, were infected with the virus, leading to a significant number of deaths. The exact number of deaths attributed to the church's failure to act is still unclear, but it is estimated to be in the hundreds.

In July 2020, Lee Man-hee was arrested and charged with murder, as well as other crimes related to the spread of the virus. The prosecution has argued that Lee's actions, or lack thereof, were reckless and negligent, and that he bears responsibility for the deaths of many people.

The case has sparked widespread outrage and criticism in South Korea, with many calling for Lee to be held accountable for his actions. The trial is ongoing, and the outcome is still uncertain.

It's worth noting that the Shincheonji Church has denied any wrongdoing and has claimed that it took appropriate measures to respond to the outbreak. However, the prosecution has presented evidence suggesting that the church's response was inadequate and that Lee Man-hee was aware of the severity of the situation but failed to take action.

The case has also raised questions about the role of religious leaders in public health crises and the importance of transparency and accountability in responding to emergencies.