SEOUL — International human rights groups, including Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF), CAP Liberté de Conscience (CAP LC), FOREF, CESNUR, and Bitter Winter, held a press conference at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club to address concerns over freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression in South Korea. The organizations called on South Korean authorities to review the detention of 95-year-old Shincheonji Chairman Lee Man-hee and 83-year-old Hak-ja Han Moon of the Family Federation, citing issues of proportionality, humanitarian considerations, and due process.
The press conference highlighted a broader pattern of religious freedom concerns in the country, including reported harassment of Segero Church in Busan, questions about conscientious objection, public hostility toward a mosque project in Daegu, and religious accommodation in educational settings. HRWF has documented the imprisonment of hundreds of Jehovah's Witnesses as conscientious objectors, and despite the introduction of alternative civilian service, critics argue it is punitive, requiring 36 months of service in correctional facilities—twice the length of regular military service.
Hans Noot, Associate Director of HRWF, emphasized that the issues "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 stressed that the conference was about defending the principle that fundamental rights apply equally to all.
Thierry Valle, President of CAP Liberté de Conscience, questioned whether placing a 95-year-old in pretrial detention aligns with South Korea's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture, which the country ratified in 1990 and 1995 respectively. He argued 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 raised concerns about whether the evidence was gathered neutrally or through a narrative framing the defendant's community as a "sect" or "cult," and argued that measures meant to protect fair elections should not nullify the constitutional and international right to freedom of religion.
Márk Nemes, Deputy Director of CESNUR, shared findings from recent scholarly investigations in Europe, Argentina, and Australia, which found increased hostility toward Shincheonji congregations abroad. He emphasized that Shincheonji is a global religious movement, and disproportionate persecution in South Korea affects the freedoms of its members worldwide, as enshrined in ICCPR Articles 18 and 19.
Massimo Introvigne, Managing Director of CESNUR and Editor-in-Chief of Bitter Winter, stated that South Korea "has crossed a worrying line" by arresting Chairman Lee, arguing that international standards like the Mandela Rules would favor house arrest for a 95-year-old accused of a non-violent offence. He described the charges as "legally and conceptually overstretched" and warned of a broader pattern of pressure against minority faiths.
The organizations called on South Korean authorities, the media, and the international community to closely examine these developments with attention to due process and proportional treatment. At the conclusion of the press conference, the scholars signed an official letter urging the South Korean government to immediately release Chairman Lee from custody.
