Oral Statement On The Situation Of Chairman Lee Man-Hee In Pretrial Detention In The Republic Of Korea

According to News Americas Now, NEWS AMERICAS NOW, NY, NY, Mon. Oct. 5, 2026: On September 18, 2026, CAP Freedom of Conscience delivered an oral statement during the general debate under Item 3 of the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, devoted to promoting and protecting all human rights. The statement raises the case of Chairman Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old founder and leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus and a veteran of the Korean War, who is currently held in pretrial detention at the Seoul Detention Center in the Republic of Korea on non-violent charges. CAP Freedom of Conscience expresses serious concern regarding what appears to be a politically driven and discriminatory investigation targeting a religious minority, as well as the conditions of detention. Despite his fixed residence and the absence of any flight risk, Chairman Lee was held in cells without air conditioning during Seoul’s most seve