SEOUL, South Korea, August 7, 2026 — “Human Rights Without Frontiers” (HRWF), in collaboration with “Coordination of Associations and Individuals for Freedom of Conscience” (CAP Liberté de Conscience, CAP LC), which is accredited to the UN ECOSOC, as well as the “European Forum for Freedom of Religion” (FOREF), the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR), and the online magazine Bitter Winter, held a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Seoul dedicated to issues of freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression in South Korea.
Among the issues discussed were concerns regarding the treatment of elderly religious leaders held in pretrial detention, including the proportionality of the measures applied, humanitarian considerations, and adherence to due process. The organizations called on the South Korean authorities to review the detention of 95-year-old Shincheonji leader Lee Man-hee and to ensure that legal and administrative measures concerning religious minorities remain neutral, proportionate, and consistent with South Korea’s international human rights obligations, particularly regarding 83-year-old Ms. Hakcha Han Moon of the Federation of Families for World Unification and Peace.
The issues discussed that day are part of a broader picture of concerns regarding freedom of religion or belief in South Korea. Concerns also persist regarding the Segero Church in Busan, which reportedly continues to face persecution and scrutiny from government authorities even after Pastor Song Hyun-bo’s release from custody.
The reports also raised issues related to conscientious objection to military service, public hostility toward a planned mosque construction project in Daegu, and the protection of religious rights and opportunities in educational institutions. Over the past few decades, Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF) has documented cases of hundreds of Jehovah’s Witnesses in South Korea being imprisoned for refusing military service on grounds of conscience. Although an alternative civilian service was subsequently introduced, critics argue that in practice it is used more as a punitive measure than as a full-fledged alternative that ensures respect for human rights, particularly because it involves 36 months of service in correctional facilities—twice as long as regular military service. Recent court rulings have also upheld key provisions of this system, rejecting constitutional challenges against it.
In his opening remarks at the conference, Hans Not, deputy director of Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF), stated that the issues raised “lie at the very foundation of a democratic society,” warning that when religious communities are stigmatized and peaceful assemblies are restricted, and dissent is viewed as a problem that must be curbed, the consequences “extend far beyond any single group or individual case.” He emphasized that the conference was not dedicated to defending any specific theology or movement, but rather to “defending the principle that fundamental rights must apply equally to all.”
Thierry Valle, president of the “Coordination of Associations and Individuals for Freedom of Conscience” (CAP Liberté de Conscience, CAP LC), examined the legality of Li Man-hee’s detention from the perspective of international law. Citing South Korea’s ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1990 and the Convention Against Torture in 1995, he questioned whether holding a 95-year-old person in pretrial detention was consistent with these international obligations.
He emphasized that the presumption of innocence must take precedence over any presumption of guilt. In democratic countries, there are alternative measures that are more proportionate and humane, while ensuring respect for the presumption of innocence and human dignity. As examples, he cited, in particular, the release on bail of Cardinal Joseph Zen in Hong Kong in 2022, as well as Vietnam’s decision to place Buddhist Patriarch Thich Quang Do under house arrest rather than in prison.
Michael Langhans, executive director of the German branch of the European Forum for Religious Freedom (FOREF Germany), presented a legal analysis in which he questioned the necessity of keeping Shincheonji Church leader Lee Man-hee in pretrial detention, given that there is already sufficient evidence to bring charges, as well as the question of whether this evidence was gathered impartially, rather than within the framework of a narrative that portrays the defendant’s community as a “sect” or “cult.” He noted that this case raises a broader question for lawmakers: Can measures aimed at safeguarding the integrity of elections be applied in a way that does not undermine the right to freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution and international law?
Mark Nemesh, deputy director of the Center for the Study of New Religions (CESNUR), shared his reflections on the consequences of ongoing persecution and its potential impact on religious minorities. He highlighted three recent academic studies conducted in individual Shincheonji communities in Europe, Argentina, and Australia. All three studies revealed an alarming rise in hostility toward this generally peaceful and cooperative religious movement. He emphasized that Shincheonji is not merely a religious minority community in South Korea, but a global religious movement with communities around the world. The disproportionate persecution in South Korea affects the lives of believers living abroad, whose rights to express and practice their faith, enshrined in Article
Massimo Introvigne, executive director of the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR) and editor-in-chief of Bitter Winter, stated that South Korea had “crossed a troubling line” by placing Lee Man-hee in pretrial detention. In his view, international standards, such as the Nelson Mandela Rules, call for house arrest rather than the imprisonment of a 95-year-old person accused of a nonviolent offense. He stated that the charges, which relate to the ordinary participation of members of a religious minority in political life, “appear to be overly broad from both a legal and conceptual standpoint,” and warned that this case is part of a broader trend of pressure on religious minorities in the country.
The organizations called on the South Korean authorities, the media, and the international community to closely examine these events, paying particular attention to due process, the principle of proportionality, and the equal protection of fundamental rights. They also provided additional documentation to support further coverage of these issues.
At the conclusion of the press conference, the scholars in attendance signed an official letter calling on the government of the Republic of Korea to immediately release Chairwoman Lee Man-hee from custody.