International Rights Groups Warn of Rising Threats to Religious Freedom in South Korea

SEOUL — A coalition of international human rights organizations convened at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents' Club on August 7, 2026, to voice concerns over the state of freedom of religion and 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 the detention of 95-year-old Shincheonji Chairman Lee Man-hee and 83-year-old Hak-ja Han Moon of the Family Federation, among other issues.

Hans Noot, Associate Director of HRWF, opened the event by emphasizing that the issues at stake "lie at the heart of democratic society." He warned that when religious communities are stigmatized and peaceful gatherings restricted, the consequences "extend far beyond any single group or case." Noot stressed the conference was about "defending a principle: that fundamental rights apply equally to all."

The speakers raised specific legal and humanitarian concerns. Thierry Valle, President of CAP LC, questioned whether placing a 95-year-old in pretrial detention aligns with South Korea's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention against Torture. He argued that the presumption of innocence must prevail and cited international precedents where elderly religious leaders were granted house arrest or bail, such as Cardinal Joseph Zen in Hong Kong and Buddhist Patriarch Thich Quang Do in Vietnam.

Michael Langhans of FOREF Germany presented a legal analysis questioning the necessity of pretrial detention for Chairman Lee, given that evidence may already be sufficient for indictment. He argued that the case raises broader questions about whether election protection measures can be applied without undermining constitutionally guaranteed religious freedom.

Márk Nemes, Deputy Director of CESNUR, highlighted the global impact of the persecution, noting that Shincheonji is a worldwide movement with congregations in Europe, Argentina, and Australia. He cited recent scholarly investigations that found increasing hostility toward the movement abroad, affecting the rights of its members 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. He argued that international standards, such as the Mandela Rules, would recommend house arrest for a non-violent 95-year-old, and that the charges appear "legally and conceptually overstretched."

The conference also addressed ongoing concerns about the Segero Church in Busan, which continues to face harassment despite Pastor Son Hyun-bo's release, and issues such as 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 alternative civilian service is punitive—requiring 36 months in correctional facilities, double the regular military service.

The organizations called on South Korean authorities to review the detentions and ensure that responses to religious minorities remain neutral and proportionate. At the conclusion, the scholars signed a letter urging the immediate release of Chairman Lee. The full proceedings are available on HRWF's YouTube channel.