International human rights groups convened in Seoul today to voice serious concerns about the state of freedom of religion and expression in South Korea, focusing on the pretrial detention of elderly religious leaders and what they describe as a broader pattern of intolerance toward minority faiths.
Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF), alongside CAP Liberté de Conscience (CAP LC), FOREF, CESNUR, and Bitter Winter, held a press conference at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club. The groups highlighted the cases of 95-year-old Shincheonji Chairman Lee Man-hee and 83-year-old Hak-ja Han Moon of the Family Federation, urging South Korean authorities to ensure that legal responses to religious minorities are neutral, proportionate, and consistent with international human rights obligations.
Hans Noot, Associate Director of HRWF, opened the conference by stating 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 far beyond any single group or case." Noot emphasized that the conference was about defending the principle that fundamental rights apply equally to all.
Thierry Valle, President of CAP Liberté de Conscience, questioned the legality of Chairman Lee's detention under international law, referencing South Korea's ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1990 and the Convention against Torture in 1995. He argued that placing a 95-year-old in pretrial detention raises serious questions about proportionality and the presumption of innocence, citing 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 whether pretrial detention was necessary given that evidence might already be sufficient for indictment. He also questioned whether the evidence was gathered neutrally or framed by a narrative labeling the defendant's community as a "sect" or "cult." Langhans suggested the case raises broader questions about whether measures to protect elections can be applied without infringing on constitutionally and internationally guaranteed rights.
Márk Nemes, Deputy Director of CESNUR, discussed the global impact of the persecution, noting recent scholarly investigations in Shincheonji congregations in Europe, Argentina, and Australia that found increased hostility toward the movement. He stressed that Shincheonji is a global religious community, and disproportionate persecution in South Korea affects the rights of congregants abroad, as protected under ICCPR Articles 18 and 19.
Massimo Introvigne, Managing Editor of Bitter Winter, argued that South Korea "has crossed a worrying line" by arresting Chairman Lee, noting that international standards such as the Mandela Rules would favor house arrest for a 95-year-old accused of a non-violent offence. He described the charges, related to political participation by religious minority members, as "legally and conceptually overstretched."
The organizations called on South Korean authorities, the media, and the international community to examine these developments with attention to due process and proportionality. They also signed an official letter calling for Chairman Lee's immediate release.
Beyond these cases, the groups raised concerns about the continued scrutiny of Segero Church in Busan, conscientious objection issues, public hostility toward a mosque project in Daegu, and religious accommodation in schools. They noted that while alternative civilian service was introduced for conscientious objectors, it has been implemented punitively, requiring 36 months of service in correctional facilities—twice the length of regular military service.
