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Detention of a 95-Year-Old Religious Leader Damages Korea’s Reputation: European Scholars of Religion Call for the Release of Chairman Lee Man-hee

July 23, 2026 · 1 min read

Concerns Raised at European Academy of Religion’s International Conference Held in Rome—Strong Appeals Over Violation of International Law

European scholars of religion are making strong appeals to the South Korean government to release Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old Chairman of Shincheonji Church, who remains in detention.

Religious scholars signing an appeal requesting an end to Chairman Lee’s detention.

Chairman Lee was detained on 24 June on charges including violations of the Political Parties Act and was indicted on 29 June. The Joint Police–Prosecution Investigation Headquarters alleges that, between July 2021 and January 2024, he directed the mass registration of approximately 50,000 church members into a particular political party.

In response, Shincheonji Church stated that individual members freely participated in political activities and that both Chairman Lee and the church have faithfully cooperated throughout the entire investigation process, including the searches and seizures. The church also expressed deep regret, stating that detaining Chairman Lee, an elderly man aged 95, amounts in effect to a form of physical punishment.

Scholars of Religion State…

Source: Religion News Service · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (4) 🌐 Translate comments

Kateřina Svobodová

To, že drží v cele 95letého člověka, to mi přijde jako zbytečná krutost. Když se církev hájí, že lidé se do té strany zapisovali dobrovolně a oni spolupracovali při raziích, tak by to snad stačilo na kauci místo vazby. Doufám, že ty evropské hlasy z konference v Římě aspoň trochu pohnou soudy v Koreji.

Hannah Collins

It's a bit much keeping a 95-year-old man locked up like that. The church says the registrations were voluntary and they cooperated fully with the searches, so you'd think bail would be enough instead of remand. Interesting that the European scholars brought it up in Rome.

Nicholas Morris

I get what you mean about the age making it look harsh, but from what I've read the charges involve directing 50,000 fake registrations over years, which isn't exactly a small thing even if the members say it was voluntary. The European scholars' statement feels a bit one-sided; they barely mention the evidence the Korean authorities laid out. Do you reckon the church's cooperation should wipe out the need for any trial at all?

Jiří Veselý

Souhlasím, Kateřino, 95letý člověk ve vazbě vypadá spíš jako trest než nutnost. Když církev tvrdí, že to byla dobrovolná účast členů a oni při raziích všechno umožnili, tak by kaucí stačilo. Zajímalo by mě, jestli ty evropské výzvy z Říma mají vůbec nějakou váhu u korejských soudů.