Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF), along with CAP Liberté de Conscience, FOREF, CESNUR, and Bitter Winter, convened a press conference at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club on August 7, 2026, to address pressing concerns about freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression in South Korea. The event 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.
The organizations argued that these cases reflect a broader pattern of religious minority treatment in South Korea, including ongoing scrutiny of Segero Church in Busan, issues with conscientious objection, and public hostility toward a mosque project in Daegu. HRWF has documented the imprisonment of hundreds of Jehovah's Witnesses as conscientious objectors, noting that the alternative civilian service, introduced later, is punitive in nature, 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 at stake "lie at the heart of democratic society," warning that stigmatizing religious communities and restricting peaceful gatherings have consequences beyond any single group. He 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 detaining a 95-year-old under South Korea's obligations to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ratified in 1990) and the Convention against Torture (ratified in 1995). He stressed the presumption of innocence and cited precedents like Cardinal Joseph Zen's release on bail and Vietnam's house arrest for Buddhist Patriarch Thich Quang Do.
Michael Langhans, Executive Director of FOREF Germany, presented a legal analysis questioning the necessity of pretrial detention for Chairman Lee, given that evidence might already suffice for indictment. He raised concerns about whether the evidence was gathered neutrally or through a narrative framing the defendant's community as a "sect" or "cult," and questioned whether election protection measures can be applied without nullifying religious freedom.
Márk Nemes, Deputy Director of CESNUR, highlighted recent scholarly investigations in Shincheonji congregations in Europe, Argentina, and Australia, finding increased hostility toward the movement. He stressed that Shincheonji is a global religious movement, and persecution in South Korea affects congregants abroad, violating ICCPR Articles 18 and 19.
Massimo Introvigne, Managing Director of CESNUR, said South Korea "has crossed a worrying line" with the arrest, arguing that international standards like the Mandela Rules call for house arrest for a 95-year-old accused of a non-violent offence. He described the charges as "legally and conceptually overstretched" and fitting a broader pattern of pressure against minority faiths.
The organizations called on South Korean authorities, media, and the international community to examine these developments with attention to due process and proportionality. At the conclusion, scholars signed an official letter urging the government to release Chairman Lee immediately.
