SEOUL — International rights groups convened at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club today to voice concerns over the state of freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression in South Korea. The press conference, organized by Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF) alongside CAP Liberté de Conscience (CAP LC), FOREF, CESNUR, and Bitter Winter, highlighted what they describe as a troubling pattern of legal and administrative actions against religious minorities.
Central to their concerns is the pretrial detention of 95-year-old Shincheonji Chairman Lee Man-hee, whom the groups argue should be released on humanitarian and proportionality grounds. They also referenced the case of 83-year-old Mrs. Hak-ja Han Moon of the Family Federation, urging South Korean authorities to ensure their responses to religious minorities remain neutral and consistent with international human rights obligations.
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 that "extend far beyond any single group or case." 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 Chairman Lee's detention under international law, referencing South Korea's ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1990 and the Convention against Torture in 1995. 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 proportionate measures.
Michael Langhans, Executive Director of FOREF Germany, presented a legal analysis questioning the necessity of pretrial detention given sufficient evidence for indictment and whether evidence was gathered neutrally or through a narrative framing the community as a "sect" or "cult." He raised broader questions about whether measures meant to protect fair elections can be applied without nullifying the right to freedom of religion.
Márk Nemes, Deputy Director of CESNUR, shared findings from recent scholarly investigations in Shincheonji congregations in Europe, Argentina, and Australia, noting a "worrisome increase in hostility" toward the movement. He stressed that Shincheonji is a global religious movement, and disproportionate persecution in South Korea affects congregants abroad, whose freedoms are enshrined in ICCPR Articles 18 and 19.
Massimo Introvigne, Managing Director of CESNUR and Editor-in-Chief of Bitter Winter, said South Korea "has crossed a worrying line" by arresting Chairman Lee, arguing that international standards such as the Mandela Rules would call for house arrest for a 95-year-old accused of a non-violent offence. He described the charges as "legally and conceptually overstretched."
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 of the press conference, scholars signed an official letter calling on the Government of the Republic of Korea to immediately release Chairman Lee from custody.
Additional concerns raised included ongoing harassment of Segero Church in Busan, even after Pastor Son Hyun-bo's release, and issues related to conscientious objection, a mosque project in Daegu, and religious accommodation in schools. HRWF has documented the imprisonment of hundreds of Jehovah's Witnesses as conscientious objectors, and critics argue that the alternative civilian service, requiring 36 months in correctional facilities, is punitive rather than rights-respecting.
The press conference underscored the need for South Korea to adhere to its international human rights commitments, ensuring that all religious communities are treated with neutrality and respect.
