On August 13, 2026, seven religious organizations from Korea and abroad, including the Council for Christian Mutual Growth, the Korea Christian Leaders Training Institute, and the Russian Evangelical Alliance, held the first Joint Assembly of World Pastors. The assembly, attended by 3,000 pastors online and offline, sharply criticized the erosion of religious freedom and the separation of church and state in South Korea. The event drew attention to the ongoing detention of Shincheonji Chairman Lee Man-hee, which speakers described as a trial by public opinion and a violation of human rights.
Rev. Im Young-woong, senior pastor of Saehimang Church, warned against the dissolution of religious corporations, citing Japan's Unification Church case. He referenced Article 38 of Korea's Civil Act, which allows revocation of a corporation's establishment permit for acts that harm the public interest. Rev. Im noted that this standard could be applied to any religious group, stating, "If the state can dissolve a single religious organization, exactly how far should that standard reach—and who can guarantee that the standard created today will not be applied to another church tomorrow?" He also invoked the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, emphasizing that religious freedom must not depend on a religion's popularity.
Rev. Vitaly Kirillovich Vlasenko, General Secretary of the Russian Evangelical Alliance, argued that public opinion cannot substitute for a fair trial. He pointed to the 2020 incident when Shincheonji was linked to a COVID-19 outbreak, leading to a petition with over one million signatures demanding dissolution. Despite this, the Supreme Court acquitted Chairman Lee on charges of violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. Rev. Vlasenko stressed, "The stronger the social pressure, the more fair and neutral the trial must be." He urged that the legal standard be applied equally, regardless of doctrine.
Bishop Elias Elijah Changa, founder of Missionary Ambassadors for Global Evangelism in Zambia, raised humanitarian concerns about the detention of the 95-year-old leader. Drawing from his prison ministry experience, he highlighted the severe hardships detention imposes on the elderly. He asked authorities to consider alternatives like bail or medical accommodation, saying, "We are not demanding special treatment; we are asking that the fairness, dignity, and universal rights owed to everyone be extended equally to him."
The assembly concluded with a joint statement demanding that the South Korean government cease using religious groups as political tools, that the judiciary uphold the presumption of innocence, and that the court grant bail to the elderly leader. The organizers emphasized that these issues transcend denominations and nations, calling for global solidarity to protect religious freedom.
