DALLAS, TX – A coalition of European scholars of religion and human rights experts is urging the South Korean government to release Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old Chairman of Shincheonji Church, who has been detained since June 24 on charges related to alleged political party mass registrations. The detention has sparked international criticism, with experts claiming it breaches international law and undermines democratic values.
Chairman Lee was indicted on June 29 on charges including violations of the Political Parties Act. The Joint Police–Prosecution Investigation Headquarters alleges that between July 2021 and January 2024, he directed approximately 50,000 church members to register with a particular political party. In response, Shincheonji Church has maintained that members participated in political activities freely and that both the church and Chairman Lee have cooperated fully with the investigation. The church expressed deep regret, noting that detaining a 95-year-old man amounts to physical punishment.
During the Ninth Annual Conference of the European Academy of Religion (EuARe) held in Rome on July 3, scholars addressed the situation. Dr. Massimo Introvigne, founder of the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR), stated, "In all European Union countries, legislation mandates that those older than 80, only exceptionally, should be put in jail; they should be under house arrest if needed, and only for violent crimes... Here, of course, there are no blood crimes, and the accusations are violations of electoral law." He added that the detention violates the United Nations' Mandela Rules, which stipulate that preliminary detention should be exceptional, especially for the elderly. He called the situation "an unmitigated scandal" that hides a "political and religious vendetta."
Eric Roux, President of the European Interreligious Forum for Religious Freedom (EIFRF), echoed these concerns, saying, "A man of 95 years old being put in jail is not something that you can reconcile with the objective of respecting human dignity... I would suggest that this be reviewed very fast to avoid something that would be very detrimental to the reputation of South Korea."
Alessandro Amicarelli, a human rights lawyer and Chairman of the European Federation for Freedom of Belief (FOB), expressed shock, stating, "As a human rights lawyer, I always considered South Korea a true democracy where human rights are upheld like a foundation of the democracy. Unfortunately, what's happening now is truly shocking... it looks like South Korea is departing from its own Constitution, its own human rights foundation."
The international human rights organizations United for Human Rights and Coordination des Associations et des Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience (CAP-LC) submitted a joint written statement to the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on May 25, document number A/HRC/62/NGO/236. The statement highlighted that the situation has intensified in South Korea and that framing members' political registration as "religion–politics collusion" is inconsistent with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees every citizen the right to participate in political life. The organizations also noted that senior officials have publicly referred to Shincheonji as a "criminal organization," incompatible with the presumption of innocence, and urged the South Korean government to reaffirm its commitment to freedom of religion, non-discrimination, and state neutrality.
Shincheonji Church emphasized that the detention has become an international human rights issue, with growing support from prominent figures. The church stated, "The prompt release of Chairman Lee is a matter of safeguarding freedom of religion and human rights, which are core values of democracy."
The implications of this case are significant for South Korea's international standing and for the protection of religious freedom globally. If the international community's calls are heeded, it could set a precedent for the treatment of elderly religious leaders and the application of international human rights standards. Conversely, continued detention may damage South Korea's reputation as a democracy that upholds human rights.
