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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50-Day Blood Donation Relay in Gwangju-Jeonnam Surpasses Goal

The Korean Red Cross Gwangju-Jeonnam Blood Center announced the successful completion of its “50-Day Relay of Love Through Blood Donation,” which ran from July 28 to September 15, 2025. The campaign, launched under the slogan “The Coolest Act in the Hottest Summer is Donating Blood,” aimed to stabilize the summer blood supply.

More Than 26,000 Donors Joined

The original target was 26,100 participants. By the end of the relay, 26,326 people across 27 municipalities had rolled up their sleeves, achieving 100.9% of the goal.

  • Personal donors: 20,178 people visited blood donation houses.

  • Group donations: 6,148 participants came through 156 organizations.

Top contributing groups included Mokpo High School (136), Mokpo Maritime University (136), the 31st Infantry Division Training Center (280), We Are One Youth Volunteer Group in Gwangju (144), the National Asia Culture Center (40), Lions Club District 355-B3 (225), and Naju City (142).


Broad Community Support

The effort was made possible by strong cooperation:

  • Local governments: 27 city and county offices supported through group drives and promotion.

  • Media partners: KBS Gwangju, CMB Gwangju, KCTV Gwangju, Mokpo MBC, Jeonnam Ilbo, Namdo Ilbo and others broadcast donation campaigns and ran subtitle announcements to raise awareness.

Engaging Events and Promotions

To encourage participation, the blood center organized a range of activities:

  • Prize draws for all donors

  • Instagram photo certification challenge

  • Blood Donation SNS Supporters workshop in Jeju

  • Community service events such as bread-making and kimchi-sharing

  • A special lecture, “Solidarity and Sharing Through Blood Donation in Memory of May 18”

  • A healing talk concert for blood donors

A Word of Thanks

Director Kim Dong-su expressed gratitude:

“We deeply thank everyone who took part in the 50-day relay. With your dedication, we secured stable blood supplies during a critical period. Going forward, we will continue promotions and system improvements to further spread the culture of blood donation in Gwangju and Jeonnam.”

The campaign demonstrated how collective effort—schools, civic groups, volunteers, government, and media—can overcome challenges in healthcare. With thousands of lives potentially saved through these donations, the “Relay of Love” stands as a model for future community-wide initiatives.


Source: https://vo.la/4crrUCs

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