International Rights Groups Raise Alarm Over Religious Freedom and Expression in South Korea

SEOUL, South Korea, August 7, 2026 — International human rights and religious freedom organizations have raised concerns over freedom of religion and expression in South Korea.

The groups are calling on authorities to uphold due process and ensure religious minorities receive equal protection under the law.

The concerns were raised during a press conference at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents’ Club.

The event was organised by Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF), CAP Liberté de Conscience (CAP LC), FOREF, CESNUR and Bitter Winter.

The organizations focused on the treatment of religious minorities and elderly religious leaders in pretrial detention.

They also raised concerns about proportionality, humanitarian considerations and due process.

Rights Groups Question Detention of 95-Year-Old Shincheonji Leader

A key focus of the conference was the detention of 95-year-old Lee Man-hee, Chairman of Shincheonji.

The organizations questioned whether his continued pretrial detention is proportionate.

They pointed to his advanced age and the principle of presumption of innocence.

The groups also raised concerns involving 83-year-old Hak-ja Han Moon of the Family Federation.

They called for legal and administrative measures involving religious minorities to remain neutral and proportionate.

The organizations said such measures should also be consistent with South Korea’s international human rights obligations.

Fundamental Rights at the Centre of Debate

Opening the conference, Hans Noot, Associate Director of HRWF, described freedom of religion and expression as fundamental to democratic society.

He warned against stigmatizing religious communities or restricting peaceful gatherings.

According to Noot, treating dissent as a problem to be contained can have consequences beyond individual cases.

He stressed that the conference was not about defending a particular religious movement.

Instead, he said it was about defending the principle that fundamental rights should apply equally to all.

Thierry Valle, President of CAP Liberté de Conscience, questioned whether detaining a 95-year-old was compatible with South Korea’s international human rights commitments.

South Korea ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 1990.

It also ratified the Convention against Torture in 1995.

Valle argued that authorities could consider alternatives to detention.

He said such measures could respect the presumption of innocence while protecting human dignity.

He cited the 2022 release on bail of Cardinal Joseph Zen in Hong Kong as one example.

He also referred to Vietnam’s decision to place Buddhist Patriarch Thich Quang Do under house arrest rather than in prison.

International Rights Groups Raise Alarm Over Religious Freedom and Expression in South Korea

Questions Over the Legal Process

Michael Langhans, Executive Director of FOREF Germany, questioned whether pretrial detention was necessary in Lee’s case.

He argued that authorities already had sufficient evidence to proceed with an indictment.

Langhans also questioned whether the evidence had been gathered and assessed neutrally.

He warned that describing religious communities as a “sect” or “cult” could influence public perceptions.

He said the case raises wider questions about balancing electoral protections with religious freedom.

Márk Nemes, Deputy Director of CESNUR, highlighted the international dimension of the issue.

Shincheonji has congregations in several countries.

Nemes referred to recent scholarly investigations involving Shincheonji congregations in Europe, Argentina and Australia.

He said the studies found growing hostility towards the movement.

He argued that developments in South Korea could affect members of the faith community outside the country.

He particularly pointed to their rights to practice and express their beliefs.

These rights are protected under Articles 18 and 19 of the ICCPR.

Groups Urge Seoul to Uphold Due Process and Equal Protection

Massimo Introvigne, Managing Director of CESNUR and Editor-in-Chief of Bitter Winter, described Lee’s arrest as a worrying development.

He argued that international standards, including the Mandela Rules, support alternatives to imprisonment for elderly detainees.

Introvigne also questioned whether the charges against Lee were proportionate.

The organizations said their concerns extend beyond the cases involving Lee and Moon.

They also highlighted the situation of Segero Church in Busan.

The groups said the church has continued to face harassment and official scrutiny following the release of Pastor Son Hyun-bo from detention.

Other issues discussed included conscientious objection to military service.

The groups also raised concerns about public opposition to a mosque project in Daegu.

Religious accommodation in educational settings was another issue highlighted during the conference.

Concerns Over Conscientious Objection

HRWF said it has documented the imprisonment of hundreds of Jehovah’s Witnesses in South Korea over conscientious objection.

South Korea later introduced an alternative civilian service system.

However, critics have questioned whether the system is sufficiently rights-respecting.

The alternative service requires 36 months in correctional facilities.

That is twice the length of regular military service.

Recent court decisions have upheld key elements of the system despite constitutional challenges.

The organizations argued that religious freedom should remain protected even when authorities are addressing wider political or security concerns.

They said measures designed to protect democratic institutions should not undermine internationally recognised religious freedoms.

Call for Greater Scrutiny

The organizations called on the South Korean government, media and international community to closely examine developments involving religious minorities.

They urged particular attention to due process, proportionality, freedom of religion and freedom of expression.

They also called for equal protection under the law.

The groups said they would continue documenting developments and making information available to support further reporting.

At the conclusion of the press conference, participating scholars signed an official letter.

The letter called on the Government of the Republic of Korea to immediately release Chairman Lee from custody.

The organizations said the broader debate is ultimately about ensuring that fundamental rights remain protected for all religious communities, regardless of their beliefs or minority status.