Beyond Theology: Why International Legal Experts and Domestic Leaders Demand Due Process in South Korea

When international human rights experts and domestic civil leaders gathered at the Korea Press Center in Seoul on August 7, 2026, their message was unambiguous: defending religious freedom is not about endorsing specific theological doctrines, but about safeguarding universal human rights principles. Organized by Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF) alongside CAP-LC, FOREF Germany, CESNUR, and Bitter Winter , the press conference addressed growing concerns over state neutrality, procedural fairness, and the pretrial detention of 95-year-old Chairman Lee Man-hee of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus. International Law and Precedents: The Principle of Proportionality A central argument raised by international experts focuses on South Korea’s legal obligations under global treaties. Having ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention Against Torture, South Korea is bound to apply detention strictly when necessary and proportional. Thierry Vall...

"Comments are Kindness": Shincheonji Bucheon Church Promoting Positive Digital Culture

In an era where communication has rapidly shifted online, the consequences of cyberbullying and hate speech have become a serious social concern. To address this, the Bucheon Church of the Shincheonji Bartholomew Tribe launched a citizen-participatory "Digital Ethics Campaign" near Sangdong Station to foster a warmer, more respectful internet culture.

Transforming Clicks into Kindness

Under the theme "Comments are Consideration," the campaign aimed to prevent cyber violence and promote respectful language on social media. Rather than a one-way lecture, the event featured interactive corners where citizens could:

  • Write Supportive Comments: Participants personally drafted messages of respect and encouragement.

  • Take the Digital Literacy Quiz: A simple quiz was designed to help people intuitively understand that every comment is a message where hearts connect.


Youth Engagement: Protecting "You and Me"

The campaign drew significant attention from middle and high school students. At the corner titled "A Gentle Line of Comments to Protect You and Me," students wrote anonymous messages of strength for their friends and themselves.

  • Student Voices: 18-year-old Jang Joo-hwan wrote a message promising to stay by a friend’s side during hard times.

  • Fighting Anonymity: Another student, Kim Yoon-ah (17), emphasized that "the practice of using anonymity to criticize others must stop," expressing hope that victims of malicious comments could find the strength to overcome their pain.

The "Nutrition" of Good Words

A creative highlight of the campaign was the visual contrast between hateful comments and respectful ones. The church visually equated kind comments to "bananas," defining Respect, Empathy, and Consideration as essential nutritional components for a healthy digital life. This clever metaphor emphasized the value of virtuous speech in a way that resonated with all ages.



Towards a Healthier Digital Future

A representative from the Shincheonji Bucheon Church stated that the most important goal was to help establish correct linguistic values in the internet environment. The church has pledged to continue this campaign until a healthy digital language culture is firmly rooted in society.


Source: https://vo.la/bPfFZgq

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