South Korea religious freedom concerns raised over Lee Man-hee case

Five international organizations, including HRWF, CAP Liberte de Conscience, FOREF, CESNUR, and Bitter Winter, recently convened at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents’ Club to discuss religious freedom and human rights in South Korea. The discussion centered on the detention of 95-year-old religious leader Lee Man-hee.

Rather than debating specific theological doctrines, the participating scholars and legal experts focused on whether the South Korean legal proceedings align with international human rights standards. Key concerns raised included the principles of proportionality, the presumption of innocence, and the humanitarian treatment of elderly detainees.

The advocates framed the case within international law, citing the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Mandela Rules. They also linked Lee’s situation to broader issues in the country, such as the treatment of Jehovah’s Witnesses performing alternative military service and religious accommodations in education.