The Coordination des Associations et Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience (CAP LC), an international NGO with consultative status at the United Nations, has submitted a joint written statement to the UN Human Rights Council expressing concern over the spread of discrimination and stigma against members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus. The statement, submitted on behalf of the organization, warns that negative perceptions and unverified materials originating in South Korea are being disseminated abroad, potentially influencing public opinion and administrative decisions in other countries.
CAP LC urged governments to base any decisions concerning Shincheonji Church of Jesus on verifiable evidence and clear legal standards. The organization highlighted specific cases in the United Kingdom and German-speaking countries. In the UK, the Charity Commission rejected Shincheonji's registration application, describing the church as a "cult," a term lacking clear legal definition. In Germany and other German-speaking regions, members have faced workplace discrimination fueled by negative media portrayals and a critical book published in 2025 by evangelical activists.
The statement also addressed controversy in South Korea regarding political participation by church members. CAP LC criticized claims by some political forces that party membership of Shincheonji members constitutes "religion-politics collusion," arguing that political participation should not be grounds for suspicion solely based on religious affiliation. The organization called on the South Korean government to uphold freedom of religion, non-discrimination, and state religious neutrality.
Amid these concerns, South Korea is conducting an investigation into allegations related to church members' party membership. On June 24, a court issued an arrest warrant for Chairman Lee Man-hee, citing concerns including possible destruction of evidence. On June 29, the government joint investigation headquarters indicted Lee while in detention on charges including violations of the Political Parties Act. Shincheonji Church of Jesus maintains that the case should be handled according to due process and objective evidence, not social perceptions or political controversy.
The church also raised questions about the necessity and proportionality of detention, noting that Lee is 95 years old, has cooperated with the investigation, and that key materials have already been secured. The church said the cases of discrimination cited in CAP LC's statement and the investigation in South Korea raise a common question: what standards should state authorities apply when dealing with religious minorities?
CAP LC, which holds special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council, has previously raised issues such as the persecution of the Church of Almighty God in China and concerns over religious freedom violations related to the Japanese government's request for a dissolution order against the Unification Church. The organization's involvement underscores that the Shincheonji case is not merely a domestic controversy but one drawing international attention.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus said the issue goes beyond controversy over a particular religious group and serves as a measure of whether the rights of religious minorities are equally protected in domestic and international procedures. The church emphasized that the international community is watching to determine whether legal grounds and due process are consistently upheld. Ultimately, the resolution of the case will test the strength of social and institutional trust in the protection of religious minorities.
