Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF), along with CAP Liberté de Conscience, FOREF, CESNUR, and Bitter Winter, convened a press conference at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club to address what they describe as a troubling pattern of religious freedom violations in South Korea. The organizations highlighted the pretrial detention of 95-year-old Shincheonji Chairman Lee Man-hee and 83-year-old Hak-ja Han Moon of the Family Federation, calling on South Korean authorities to review these cases with attention to proportionality and humanitarian considerations.
Hans Noot, Associate Director of HRWF, opened the conference by emphasizing that the issues at stake "lie at the heart of democratic society." He warned that when religious communities are stigmatized and peaceful gatherings restricted, the consequences "extend far beyond any single group or case." Noot stressed that the conference was not about defending any particular theology but about defending the principle that fundamental rights apply equally to all.
Thierry Valle, President of CAP Liberté de Conscience, questioned the legality of Chairman Lee's detention under international law, referencing South Korea's ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture. He argued that placing a 95-year-old in pretrial detention contradicts these obligations, emphasizing that the presumption of innocence must prevail. Valle cited precedents such as Cardinal Joseph Zen's release on bail in Hong Kong and Vietnam's house arrest of Buddhist Patriarch Thich Quang Do as alternatives.
Michael Langhans of FOREF Germany presented a legal analysis questioning whether pretrial detention was necessary given evidence sufficient for indictment, and whether that evidence was gathered neutrally or through a narrative framing the defendant's community as a "sect" or "cult." He argued that the case raises broader questions about whether measures meant to protect fair elections can be applied without nullifying constitutional and international guarantees of religious freedom.
Márk Nemes, Deputy Director of CESNUR, highlighted the global impact of the persecution, noting recent scholarly investigations in Europe, Argentina, and Australia that found increased hostility toward Shincheonji congregations. He stressed that Shincheonji is a global religious movement, and the disproportionate persecution in South Korea affects congregants abroad whose freedoms are enshrined in ICCPR Articles 18 and 19.
Massimo Introvigne, Managing Director of CESNUR and Editor-in-Chief of Bitter Winter, said South Korea "has crossed a worrying line" by arresting Chairman Lee. He argued that international standards such as the Mandela Rules call for house arrest rather than imprisonment for a 95-year-old accused of a non-violent offence. He described the charges as "legally and conceptually overstretched" and warned that the case fits a broader pattern of pressure against minority faiths.
The organizations also expressed concerns about ongoing harassment of Segero Church in Busan, conscientious objection issues, public hostility toward a mosque project in Daegu, and religious accommodation in education. They noted that while alternative civilian service was introduced for conscientious objectors, critics maintain it is implemented punitively, requiring 36 months of service in correctional facilities, twice the length of regular military service.
The press conference concluded with the scholars signing an official letter calling on the Government of the Republic of Korea to immediately release Chairman Lee from custody. The full proceedings can be viewed on HRWF YouTube. Additional articles are available in English and Korean.
