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 Taekwondo Team Wins Big at International Competition

Raising Korea’s Global Profile Through Sports and Spirit

The Shincheonji Church of Jesus Taekwondo Representative Team has made headlines with their outstanding performance at the 2025 Kim Un-Yong Cup International Open Taekwondo Championships, held from July 5 to 8 in Busan, South Korea. Competing among over 3,000 athletes from 45 countries, the team proved their skill on the international stage and contributed meaningfully to cultural diplomacy.


Every Athlete Medals – MVP Included

Twelve Shincheonji athletes competed in two categories: Recognized Poomsae (official forms) and Power Breaking. The results were exceptional:

  • All 11 athletes in individual Poomsae placed:
    🥇 2 first-place winners
    🥈 4 second-place winners
    🥉 5 third-place winners

  • In the Power Breaking event, athlete Gong Doo-Hyun took first place and the MVP award, impressing judges with powerful side and spinning heel kicks—techniques that require extreme precision and physical strength.

“I was worried due to an injury during training, but I did my best as a representative of my team,” said Gong. “When my name and my team were called during the ceremony, I felt deeply proud and responsible.”


Spirit, Discipline, and Dedication

Coach Kim Deok-Hoon praised the team’s achievement:

“We believe this was only possible with God’s help. We’ll continue to take on new challenges and improve, showing excellence on even larger stages in the future.”

This win follows previous successes, including the 2024 Mungyeong World Taekwondo Hanmadang, where Shincheonji athletes also placed highly in multiple events.

More Than Medals: A Vision for the Future

Shincheonji Church is committed not only to faith but also to developing talent and promoting physical health. Through sports like taekwondo, the church aims to foster disciplined, well-rounded individuals who reflect the values of peace, endurance, and unity.

The Kim Un-Yong Cup is an annual international competition held in memory of the late Kim Un-Yong, a visionary who globalized Taekwondo and helped establish it as an official Olympic sport. Hosted by Kukkiwon and World Taekwondo, the event has become a symbol of global sports diplomacy.

The Shincheonji Taekwondo Team continues to shine as both athletes and ambassadors of goodwill—representing not only their church but also the spirit of Korea.


Source: https://vo.la/uQRcoMh

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Shincheonji Netherlands Church and Class 116 Graduates Carry Out Environmental Cleanup in Rotterdam

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On December 6, members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus Netherlands Church gathered at Kralingse Bos , one of Rotterdam’s largest lake parks, for a meaningful volunteer activity. The event was part of the church’s “1st Graduation Commemoration Volunteer Program,” bringing together 27 participants , including newly graduated Class 116 students of the Zion Christian Mission Center . Their goal was simple but sincere: to practice the teachings of Jesus by caring for their neighbors and protecting the local environment. Cleaning Kralingse Bos: A Park Loved by the City Kralingse Bos is a large urban lake park located on the eastern side of Rotterdam. Much like Seoul’s Hangang Park, it is a popular place for walking, running, and enjoying nature. Because so many people pass through every day, litter often gathers around the lakeside paths. A representative from Shincheonji Netherlands Church , part of the Bartholomew Tribe , explained that the city also recognized the need for clean...
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Class 116 Graduates Share Warmth Through Kimchi: A Winter of Giving in the Peter and Andre Tribes

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