In a press conference held at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club, Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF) and several partner organizations, including CAP Liberté de Conscience, FOREF, CESNUR, and Bitter Winter, voiced serious concerns over the state of freedom of religion and expression in South Korea. The event, which took place on August 7, 2026, focused on the pretrial detention of elderly religious leaders, notably 95-year-old Shincheonji Chairman Lee Man-hee, and 83-year-old Hak-ja Han Moon of the Family Federation. The organizations called on South Korean authorities to review these detentions, emphasizing the need for proportionality, humanitarian considerations, and due process.
The press conference highlighted a broader pattern of religious freedom issues in South Korea, including the continued harassment of Segero Church in Busan, even after its pastor, Son Hyun-bo, was released from detention. Concerns were also raised about 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 critics argue that the alternative civilian service introduced is punitive, requiring 36 months of service in correctional facilities, twice the length of regular military service.
Hans Noot, Associate Director of HRWF, opened the conference by stating that the issues "lie at the heart of democratic society," warning that when religious communities are stigmatized and dissent is contained, the consequences "extend far beyond any single group or case." Thierry Valle, President of CAP Liberté de Conscience, questioned whether detaining a 95-year-old is consistent with South Korea's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture, stressing that the presumption of innocence must prevail.
Michael Langhans, Executive Director of FOREF Germany, presented a legal analysis questioning the necessity of pretrial detention for Chairman Lee, arguing that the evidence may already be sufficient for indictment and that the case raises broader questions about balancing election integrity with religious freedom. Márk Nemes, Deputy Director of CESNUR, shared findings from recent scholarly investigations in Europe, Argentina, and Australia, which found increasing hostility toward Shincheonji congregations abroad, emphasizing the global impact of the persecution in South Korea.
Massimo Introvigne, Managing Director of CESNUR, said South Korea "has crossed a worrying line" by arresting Chairman Lee, citing international standards like the Mandela Rules that would favor house arrest for a 95-year-old accused of a non-violent offense. He argued that the charges appear "legally and conceptually overstretched" and fit a broader pattern of pressure against minority faiths.
The organizations called on South Korean authorities, the media, and the international community to examine these developments with attention to due process and proportionality. At the conclusion of the press conference, the scholars signed an official letter calling for the immediate release of Chairman Lee. The full proceedings can be watched on HRWF YouTube.
