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 Volunteer Group Jeonju Branch Cleans Up Hanok Village and Shares Cool Water

On September 6, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Jeonju Branch rolled up their sleeves in Jeonju Hanok Village, carrying out both an environmental cleanup and a refreshing water-sharing campaign for citizens and tourists braving the late summer heat.

A Cleaner and Cooler Hanok Village

The initiative took place around Omokdae in Hanok Village from 1 to 3 p.m., with 20 volunteers gathering trash such as bottles and litter. In total, they filled five 50-liter standard garbage bags—amounting to 250 liters of waste collected—helping restore the historic site to a cleaner, more welcoming space.

This campaign was organized at the request of the local Hyanggyo Committee and Hong Han-pyo, former chairman of the Hanok Village Preservation Council, highlighting the value of community collaboration in protecting cultural landmarks.

Sharing Refreshment and Kindness

Adding to the day’s impact, a local small business, impressed by the Jeonju Branch’s consistent volunteer service, donated 200 bottles of water. These were handed out to residents and visitors as a symbol of care during the hot afternoon.

One tourist described the experience by saying, “It felt like finding an oasis in the desert. Seeing volunteers clean and share water left me with a very positive impression of Jeonju.”


Meaningful Participation

Volunteers also reflected on their sense of purpose. Kim Mi-ra (28, Jeonju Wansan-gu) shared, “It felt special to take part in preserving such a historic village. Watching the area become clean through our own efforts gave me a deep sense of pride, and I want to keep volunteering in the future.”

Looking Ahead: From Cleanup to Community Art

Following this successful cleanup, the Jeonju Branch plans to continue serving the local community with upcoming activities, including a mural-painting project this autumn to beautify village walls.

A branch representative concluded, “It’s meaningful to care for such a precious local space together. We will continue volunteering in ways that connect with residents and visitors, making Jeonju a place of shared pride.”


Source: https://vo.la/taAZscQ

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