The case of Chairman Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old founder and leader of Shincheonji Church of Jesus and a Korean War veteran, was presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council on September 18, 2026, by CAP Freedom of Conscience. The organization delivered an oral statement during the General Debate under Item 3 of the Council's 63rd session, which addresses the promotion and protection of all human rights. Lee is currently held in pre-trial detention at the Seoul Detention Center in the Republic of Korea on nonviolent charges. The intervention signals growing international scrutiny of South Korea's treatment of religious minorities and its adherence to treaty obligations.
CAP Freedom of Conscience expressed serious concern over the conditions of Lee's detention, describing the investigation as politically motivated and discriminatory against a religious minority. Despite having a fixed residence and posing no flight risk, Lee was held in cells without air conditioning during Seoul's most severe heatwave. This raises grave concerns about the health and well-being of the 95-year-old detainee, who is a Korean War veteran. The organization argues that such treatment violates basic standards of humane care and underscores the urgency of independent medical assessment.
The statement recalled that Lee's treatment runs counter to the Republic of Korea's international obligations under several human rights instruments. Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) requires detention to be necessary and proportionate; Article 10 guarantees humane treatment; the Nelson Mandela Rules entitle detainees to healthcare equivalent to that available in the community; the Tokyo Rules make pre-trial detention a measure of last resort; and Article 18 protects freedom of religion or belief—a fundamental right that CAP Freedom of Conscience believes has been violated in this case.
By bringing this case to the UN Human Rights Council, CAP Freedom of Conscience aims to pressure South Korea to honor its treaty commitments. The organization urges the Council to call on the Republic of Korea to offer alternatives to detention, allow an independent medical assessment, and ensure a fair and impartial trial. The implications extend beyond Lee's individual case, as it tests South Korea's commitment to international human rights norms and could set a precedent for how religious minorities are treated within the country.
The Council's response will be closely watched by human rights advocates and religious freedom groups worldwide. If the Council takes action, it could lead to increased monitoring of South Korea's detention practices and potentially influence domestic legal reforms. Conversely, inaction might embolden authorities to continue what critics see as discriminatory practices against minority faiths. The case also highlights broader concerns about the use of pre-trial detention for nonviolent offenses, particularly for elderly individuals, and the need for proportionality in judicial measures.
As the 63rd session continues, the international community's attention on Lee's plight underscores the importance of upholding human rights standards even in cases involving controversial religious groups. The outcome will resonate beyond South Korea's borders, reinforcing the principle that no one, regardless of age or affiliation, should be subjected to inhumane treatment or deprived of fundamental freedoms without due process.
