Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF), along with CAP Liberté de Conscience, FOREF, CESNUR, and Bitter Winter, held a press conference at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club to address growing concerns over freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression in South Korea. The event, which took place on August 7, 2026, highlighted the detention of 95-year-old Shincheonji Chairman Lee Man-hee and 83-year-old Hak-ja Han Moon of the Family Federation, questioning the proportionality and humanitarian aspects of their pretrial confinement.
Hans Noot, Associate Director of HRWF, opened the conference by emphasizing that the issues at stake "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, not about endorsing any particular theology.
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. 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, provided a legal analysis suggesting that pretrial detention may be unnecessary given that evidence might already suffice for indictment. He questioned whether the evidence was gathered neutrally or through a narrative framing the defendant's community as a "sect" or "cult," raising broader questions about whether election protection measures can be applied without nullifying constitutionally guaranteed religious freedom.
Márk Nemes, Deputy Director of CESNUR, discussed the global impact of the persecution, noting recent scholarly investigations in Europe, Argentina, and Australia that found increased hostility toward Shincheonji congregations. He emphasized that Shincheonji is a global movement, and violations in South Korea affect the rights of members abroad, which are protected under ICCPR Articles 18 and 19.
Massimo Introvigne, Managing Director of CESNUR, asserted 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 non-violent 95-year-old. He described the charges as "legally and conceptually overstretched" and linked the case to a broader pattern of pressure against minority faiths.
The organizations also expressed concerns about the ongoing harassment of Segero Church in Busan, even after Pastor Son Hyun-bo's release, as well as issues related to conscientious objection, a mosque project in Daegu, and religious accommodation in schools. They 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 urging the Government of the Republic of Korea to immediately release Chairman Lee from custody. The full proceedings are available on the HRWF YouTube channel, and additional articles can be found in English and Korean.
