International human rights groups convened at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club on August 7 to voice concerns over the state of freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression in South Korea. The press conference, organized by Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF) and CAP Liberté de Conscience (CAP LC), along with FOREF, CESNUR, and Bitter Winter, highlighted the treatment of elderly religious leaders in pretrial detention, questioning the proportionality and humanitarian considerations of such actions.
The groups specifically called on South Korean authorities to review the detention of 95-year-old Shincheonji Chairman Lee Man-hee, who remains in custody despite his age and the non-violent nature of the charges. They also expressed concern over the case of 83-year-old Mrs. Hak-ja Han Moon of the Family Federation. The organizations argue that these cases are part of a broader pattern of religious minority targeting, including continued harassment of Segero Church in Busan, even after Pastor Son Hyun-bo's release, and reported public hostility toward a mosque project in Daegu.
Hans Noot, associate director of HRWF, emphasized 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." Thierry Valle, president of CAP Liberté de Conscience, referenced South Korea's ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture, questioning whether detaining a 95-year-old is consistent with these obligations. He cited precedents such as Cardinal Joseph Zen's release on bail in Hong Kong and Vietnam's decision to place Buddhist Patriarch Thich Quang Do under house arrest.
Michael Langhans of FOREF Germany questioned the necessity of pretrial detention for Chairman Lee, given that evidence may already be sufficient for indictment. He argued that the case raises broader legal questions about applying election-related measures without infringing on constitutionally and internationally guaranteed religious freedom. Márk Nemes, deputy director of CESNUR, shared findings from recent scholarly investigations in Shincheonji congregations in Europe, Argentina, and Australia, which reported increased hostility toward the movement. He stressed that Shincheonji is a global religious community, and actions in South Korea affect members worldwide, whose rights under ICCPR Articles 18 and 19 are inalienable.
Massimo Introvigne, managing director of CESNUR, stated that South Korea "has crossed a worrying line" by arresting Chairman Lee, noting that international standards like the Mandela Rules would favor house arrest for a 95-year-old accused of a non-violent offense. He described the charges as "legally and conceptually overstretched" and part of a broader pressure on minority faiths.
The groups called on South Korean authorities, the media, and the international community to examine these developments with attention to due process, proportionality, and equal protection of fundamental rights. At the conclusion of the press conference, the scholars signed an official letter urging the government to immediately release Chairman Lee from custody.
