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 Bucheon Church Leads Liberation Day Campaign to Inspire Love for Country

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of Korea’s Liberation Day, members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, Bucheon Church of the Bartholomew Tribe (led by Pastor Kim Gyu-chan) held a community campaign in front of Bucheon City Hall Plaza.

The campaign encouraged citizens to actively participate in remembering the meaning of Liberation Day while honoring the spirit of Korea’s independence activists.

Interactive Programs Bring History to Life

At the event, volunteers prepared activities that invited citizens of all ages to reflect on the sacrifices of national heroes:

  • Famous Quotes Quiz: Participants guessed sayings from independence activists including Kim Gu, Yu Gwan-sun, Yun Bong-gil, Ahn Jung-geun, and Ahn Chang-ho.

  • Taegukgi Flag Puzzle: Elementary school students took part in a hands-on activity piecing together the Korean flag, offering families a fun and educational experience.


One young participant, Noh Yun-seo (13, Bucheon), shared,

“Since independence activists gave their lives, I felt that I too should do my best as a citizen to protect my country.”

Her mother, Shim Hye-kyung (43, Bucheon), reflected,

“History is something we can easily forget in daily life. This was an important chance to reflect, and I’ll encourage my child to learn more about these activists through books at home.”

Another parent, Kim So-yeon, who had just returned from Japan with her children for the holiday, said,

“It was a meaningful experience that showed how important it is to teach history at the right level for children.”


Remembering Sacrifice, Inspiring the Future

The Bucheon Church explained that the goal of the campaign was not only to remember the past but also to encourage dialogue between generations, helping citizens recognize the importance of patriotism and carry these values into the future.

A church representative said,

“We are grateful to honor the noble spirit of the independence activists and to provide citizens with a moment to reflect on history and the value of loving one’s country. We will continue to hold campaigns and volunteer activities with the local community.”

A Community United by History

For Bucheon citizens, the day became more than a civic observance—it was an opportunity to connect with history, celebrate freedom, and instill in the next generation the enduring value of sacrifice and love for country.

Source: https://vo.la/kR5BaF

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