An international human rights organization has formally expressed concern to the United Nations that discrimination and stigma against members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus are spreading beyond South Korea and could undermine religious freedom protections globally. The Coordination des Associations et Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience (CAP LC), which holds special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council, submitted a joint written statement to the UN Human Rights Council on July 9, urging governments to base any decisions concerning the church on verifiable evidence and clear legal standards.
CAP LC warned that negative perceptions and unverified materials originating in South Korea, if disseminated abroad, could seriously impact public opinion, administrative proceedings, and judicial decisions in other countries. The statement cited cases in the United Kingdom and German-speaking countries where church members have faced workplace discrimination and administrative hurdles. In the UK, the Charity Commission rejected Shincheonji's registration application, labeling the church a "cult"—a term with no clear legal definition. In Germany and other German-speaking nations, a 2025 book by evangelical activists has fueled negative sentiment, leading to reported workplace disadvantages for members.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the statement underscores that unfounded stigma, if allowed to gain international acceptance, could set a precedent where other religious minorities are similarly judged. The church emphasized the responsibility of states to protect the rights of all religious minorities. CAP LC, which has previously raised issues before the UN including the persecution of the Church of Almighty God in China and concerns over Japan's dissolution order against the Unification Church, highlighted that the Shincheonji case now draws attention under international human rights standards.
The statement also addressed controversy in South Korea over political participation by church members. CAP LC criticized claims that Shincheonji members' party membership amounts to "religion-politics collusion," asserting that political participation should not be grounds for suspicion solely because of religious affiliation. The organization called on the South Korean government to uphold freedom of religion, non-discrimination, and religious neutrality.
Amid these concerns, South Korea is investigating allegations related to church members' party membership. On June 24, a court issued an arrest warrant for Chairman Lee Man-hee, citing concerns including possible destruction of evidence. On June 29, the government joint investigation headquarters indicted Lee while in detention on charges including violations of the Political Parties Act. Shincheonji maintains that the case should be handled according to due process and objective evidence, not social perceptions or political controversy. The church also questions the necessity and proportionality of detaining Lee, who is 95 years old, has cooperated with the investigation, and whose key materials have already been secured through searches.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the cases of discrimination cited in CAP LC's statement and the investigation in South Korea raise a common question: what standards should state judicial and administrative authorities apply when dealing with religious minorities? The church argued that the issue goes beyond a single religious group and serves as a measure of whether the rights of religious minorities are equally protected in domestic and international procedures. It said the international community is watching to determine whether legal grounds and due process are consistently upheld in South Korea's investigation and in administrative decisions abroad. Ultimately, the church said, how the case is resolved will test the strength of social and institutional trust in protecting religious minorities.
More information about Shincheonji Church of Jesus is available at https://www.shincheonji.org/en and its broadcasting channel at https://www.scjtvglobal.com.
