Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF), alongside several international partners, convened a press conference at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club to address growing concerns over freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression in South Korea. The event, held on August 14, 2026, brought together scholars and advocates who highlighted what they describe as a troubling pattern of legal and administrative actions against religious minorities, particularly the detention of elderly leaders.
Central to the discussion was the case of 95-year-old Shincheonji Chairman Lee Man-hee, who remains in pretrial detention. The organizations questioned the proportionality and humanitarian implications of detaining a person of his age for a non-violent offense. They called on South Korean authorities to review his detention and ensure that the legal response to religious minorities is neutral and consistent with the country's international human rights obligations. Similar concerns were raised regarding 83-year-old Hak-ja Han Moon of the Family Federation.
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 beyond any single group. "This is about defending a principle: that fundamental rights apply equally to all," he stated.
Thierry Valle, President of CAP Liberté de Conscience, which holds ECOSOC status at the United Nations, addressed the legality of Chairman Lee's detention under international law. He referenced South Korea's ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1990 and the Convention against Torture in 1995, questioning whether placing a 95-year-old in pretrial detention aligns with these commitments. He emphasized that the presumption of innocence must prevail over any presumption of guilt.
Valle cited precedents from other democratic countries where alternative measures to detention were used for elderly religious figures, such as Cardinal Joseph Zen's release on bail in Hong Kong in 2022 and Vietnam's decision to place Buddhist Patriarch Thich Quang Do under house arrest.
Michael Langhans, Executive Director of FOREF Germany, presented a legal analysis suggesting that pretrial detention may be unnecessary if evidence is already sufficient for indictment. He questioned whether the evidence was gathered neutrally or through a narrative framing the defendant's community as a "sect" or "cult." Langhans argued that the case raises broader questions for lawmakers about balancing electoral protection measures with constitutionally guaranteed religious freedom.
Márk Nemes, Deputy Director of CESNUR, highlighted the global impact of the persecution. He noted recent scholarly investigations in Shincheonji congregations in Europe, Argentina, and Australia, which found increased hostility toward the movement. "Shincheonji is not simply a South Korean minority church but a global religious movement," he said, stressing that the disproportionate persecution affects congregants abroad whose rights under ICCPR Articles 18 and 19 are inalienable.
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 would favor house arrest for a 95-year-old accused of a non-violent offense. He described the charges, tied to ordinary political participation by members of a religious minority, as "legally and conceptually overstretched."
The press conference also addressed ongoing concerns about Segero Church in Busan, which has reportedly continued to face harassment even after Pastor Son Hyun-bo's release. Other issues included conscientious objection, hostility toward a mosque project in Daegu, and religious accommodation in schools. HRWF has documented the imprisonment of hundreds of Jehovah's Witnesses as conscientious objectors over the past decades, and while alternative civilian service was introduced, critics argue it is punitive, requiring 36 months of service in correctional facilities, twice the length of regular military service.
At the conclusion, the scholars signed an official letter calling on the South Korean government to immediately release Chairman Lee from custody. The full proceedings were made available on HRWF's YouTube channel, and additional documentation was provided to support continued reporting. The organizations urged the South Korean authorities, media, and international community to examine these developments with attention to due process, proportionality, and equal protection of fundamental rights.
