International Concern Grows Over South Korea's Detention of 95-Year-Old Religious Leader

The recent detention and prosecution of Chairman Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, has sparked intense scrutiny from international human rights and religious freedom organizations. Legal experts and sociologists worldwide are raising critical questions regarding South Korea’s adherence to global human rights standards and the principle of state neutrality. The Controversy Surrounding the Detention On June 24, 2026, South Korean authorities took Chairman Lee into custody on charges related to the Political Parties Act, followed by a formal indictment on June 30. Prosecutors allege that between July 2021 and January 2024, the church organized the enrollment of approximately 50,000 members into the ruling People Power Party (PPP) to influence internal primaries. However, the legal dispute does not center on party membership itself, but on whether coercion was involved. While prosecutors allege a forced campaign, Shincheonji Church maintains that all p...
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Shincheonji Seoul James Tribe Signs MOU with a Presbyterian General Assembly

Promoting Unity Through the Bible Across Denominations

On June 23, 2025, Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony – Seoul James Tribe (leader: Shin Kyu-Soo) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with one of Presbyterian General Assembly in Korea at the Haneul Munhwa Promotion Center in Nowon-gu, Seoul. This agreement represents a meaningful step toward Bible-centered exchange and cooperation across denominational lines.

A New Chapter of Bible-Centered Exchange

This MOU is especially significant as it goes beyond individual church-level collaborations and reflects official cooperation between Shincheonji and an established general assembly within a major denomination. The president of this Presbyterian general assembly shared:

“I was deeply impressed by how sincerely and passionately Shincheonji believers live out their faith in a structured and godly way. This partnership was initiated with the hope of becoming one in the Word.”

Both parties agreed to expand Bible-centered exchange and promote mutual understanding, including the potential for future pulpit-sharing between the two groups.

“It’s Time to Unite in the Word”

Shin Kyu-Soo, head of the Seoul James Tribe, emphasized the spiritual importance of this occasion:

“This agreement is a moment of grace allowed by God. Rather than labeling others as heretical or orthodox, it’s time we prioritize unity through the Word.”

He added:

“When we approach each other with a pure heart and communicate through Scripture, there is nothing we cannot understand. The growing movement of unity—both in Korea and globally—is clearly the work of God.”

A Growing Movement of Cooperation

After the ceremony, attendees toured the Haneul Munhwa Promotion Center. The general assembly president commented:

“It is an honor to be part of what I believe is God's work for peace among global communities and religions. Seeing the youth of Shincheonji boldly holding onto God’s Word was truly encouraging.”

A representative from the Seoul James Tribe noted:

“This MOU is especially symbolic because it represents official cooperation with a denomination-level body, not just an individual church. It’s the first case of overcoming denominational walls through the Bible.”


As of May 2025, Shincheonji Church of Jesus has signed Bible exchange MOUs with 872 churches across Korea, with the Seoul James Tribe alone initiating 54 agreements, highlighting a powerful wave of inter-church and inter-denominational unity centered on the Word.


Source: https://vo.la/kjRkJmY

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