Rights Groups Urge South Korea to Release Elderly Religious Leaders

International human rights groups convened in Seoul on August 7, 2026, to voice serious concerns over the treatment of religious minorities in South Korea, particularly focusing on the pretrial detention of 95-year-old Shincheonji Chairman Lee Man-hee and 83-year-old Hak-ja Han Moon of the Family Federation. The press conference, hosted by Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF) at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club, brought together representatives from CAP Liberté de Conscience, FOREF, CESNUR, and Bitter Winter. Speakers argued that the detentions violate South Korea's international human rights obligations, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture, and called for more proportionate and humane measures, such as house arrest, citing precedents like Cardinal Joseph Zen's release on bail and the house arrest of Buddhist Patriarch Thich Quang Do.

The event highlighted a broader pattern of religious freedom violations in South Korea, including the ongoing harassment of Segero Church in Busan, punitive alternative service for conscientious objectors, and hostility toward a mosque project in Daegu. Hans Noot, Associate Director of HRWF, emphasized that the issues strike at the heart of democratic society, while Thierry Valle of CAP LC questioned the legality of detaining a 95-year-old under international law. Michael Langhans of FOREF Germany provided legal analysis suggesting that evidence may not be gathered neutrally, and Márk Nemes of CESNUR noted increased hostility toward Shincheonji congregations abroad. Massimo Introvigne, Managing Director of CESNUR, warned that South Korea has crossed a worrying line, and the scholars present signed a letter urging the government to release Chairman Lee immediately.

The organizations called on South Korean authorities, media, and the international community to examine these developments with attention to due process and proportionality. The full proceedings can be watched on HRWF YouTube, and additional documentation is available via Link here in English and Korean.