SEOUL – International human rights groups, including Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF) and CAP Liberté de Conscience (CAP LC), held a press conference at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club to raise concerns about freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression 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, questioning the proportionality and humanitarian considerations of such measures.
Hans Noot, Associate Director of HRWF, stated that the issues at stake "lie at the heart of democratic society," warning that stigmatizing religious communities and restricting peaceful gatherings have consequences that "extend far beyond any single group or case." He emphasized that the conference was about defending the principle that fundamental rights apply equally to all.
Thierry Valle, President of CAP Liberté de Conscience, referenced South Korea's ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 1990 and the Convention against Torture in 1995, questioning whether detaining a 95-year-old in pretrial custody aligns with these obligations. He stressed that the presumption of innocence must prevail, and 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 more humane alternatives.
Michael Langhans, Executive Director of FOREF Germany, presented a legal analysis questioning the necessity of pretrial detention for Chairman Lee, given that evidence may already be sufficient for indictment. He argued that the case raises broader questions about whether measures meant to protect fair elections can be applied without nullifying the right to freedom of religion.
Márk Nemes, Deputy Director of CESNUR, shared findings from recent scholarly investigations in Shincheonji congregations in Europe, Argentina, and Australia, noting a worrisome increase in hostility toward the movement. He stressed that Shincheonji is a global religious movement, and the disproportionate persecution in South Korea affects the freedoms of its congregants abroad, as 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, arguing that international standards such as the Mandela Rules would 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."
The organizations also expressed concerns about the ongoing harassment of Segero Church in Busan, even after Pastor Son Hyun-bo's release, and noted broader issues including conscientious objection, a mosque project in Daegu, and religious accommodation in education. They called on South Korean authorities, the media, and the international community to examine these developments with attention to due process and equal protection of fundamental rights.
At the conclusion of the press conference, the scholars signed an official letter calling on the Government of the Republic of Korea to immediately release Chairman Lee from custody.
