Ponder and Diary

The recent detention of Chairman Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, has not only drawn international criticism but has also sparked an intense domestic debate in South Korea regarding the true meaning of the rule of law. While some argue for strict legal enforcement, heavy concerns are emerging from legal, medical, and media circles about whether mechanical equality is overriding basic human rights. Mechanical Equality vs. Substantive Justice Under South Korea’s Criminal Procedure Act, pretrial detention is an exceptional measure reserved strictly for cases where a suspect poses a flight risk or a danger of destroying evidence. Legal experts point out that judicial decisions must always be guided by established statutes and principles, rather than being swayed by public sentiment or emotional backlash. Local media commentators have noted that applying the law identically to every individual without considering their specific circumstances is not tru...