South Korea's Detention of Elderly Religious Leader Sparks Global Outcry

International criticism is mounting over the detention and prosecution of Chairman Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old leader of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, following recent public remarks by South Korea's Minister of Justice, Jeong Seong-ho. On June 30, Minister Jeong announced on social media that Chairman Lee had been indicted while in detention, writing that "strict criminal punishment corresponding to its responsibility is inevitable" and quoting Matthew 7:15: "Beware of false prophets." Dr. Massimo Introvigne, an Italian sociologist of religion, published two articles in the religious freedom and human rights outlet "Bitter Winter" criticizing the detention and Minister Jeong's remarks, arguing that jailing an elderly religious leader violates international standards under the UN Mandela Rules and principles against arbitrary detention.

Chairman Lee was taken into custody on June 24 on charges including violation of the Political Parties Act, with investigators alleging he organized the enrollment of roughly 50,000 Shincheonji members into the People Power Party (PPP) to influence primaries. Shincheonji Church of Jesus responded that Chairman Lee and the church fully cooperated with the investigation, calling the detention "a physical punishment imposed on a 95-year-old suspect." Dr. Introvigne linked this case to that of Han Hak-ja, the 83-year-old leader of the Unification Church, warning that "a pattern is emerging in which physical detention is repeatedly used against elderly religious leaders." He also criticized Minister Jeong's public remarks and use of a Bible verse as conflicting with state neutrality, potentially prejudging the outcome. The legal question hinges on whether coercion occurred, with prosecutors claiming forced enrollment while the church maintains members acted freely. Dr. Introvigne argued that the charges risk criminalizing ordinary civic participation for religious minorities.

Dr. Introvigne described the situation as "a stain on South Korea's democratic credentials" and said it is "a matter the world should pay attention to." The case is being closely watched in international religious freedom circles as a test of whether a democratic state applies the same rule of law and human rights standards to controversial religious minorities. If senior government officials influence judicial independence or the political freedom of believers, it can undermine confidence in the state's commitment to human rights. A genuine democracy must guarantee minority groups the same procedures and rights afforded to everyone else.