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| Pastors are speaking at a press conference held on the 31st in front of the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, organised by the Korea Christian Co-prosperity Council and the Korea Christian Leadership Training Institute. The event, titled "We Earnestly Appeal for Medical Bail for a 95-Year-Old Religious Leader," was held to urge the bail of Shincheonji Chairman ManHee Lee. |
On the 31st, despite the rain, 25 Christian pastors gathered outside the west gate of the Seoul Central District Court, wearing white raincoats and holding banners. They continued their appeal for humanitarian bail on medical grounds for 95-year-old Shincheonji Chairman ManHee Lee.
The pastors argued that detaining and investigating someone of such advanced age is highly unusual, noting that only five inmates aged 90 or older are currently held in correctional facilities nationwide. They called for Chairman Lee’s right to stand trial outside custody to be respected.
The Korea Christian Co-prosperity Council and the Korea Christian Leadership Institute held a “Press Conference of Pastors Urging Bail for Chairman ManHee Lee” at noon that day.
Pastor Seong-woo Lee of Yeonggwang Church cited statistics from the Ministry of Justice, saying, “According to Ministry of Justice data, there are only five inmates aged 90 or older in correctional facilities nationwide. This makes the detention of a person of such advanced age an extremely exceptional situation.”
He continued, “We must carefully consider whether there is a legitimate reason to continue detaining a 95-year-old man when such cases are extraordinarily rare, even among those accused of violent crimes.”
Pastor Lee also referred to international human rights standards, stating, “The UN International Human Rights Standards and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) recommend minimising pretrial detention and considering humanitarian release measures for elderly detainees.”
He emphasised, “We are not asking for an acquittal. We are asking that the trial proceed while the defendant remains out of custody, allowing him to receive appropriate medical care and fully exercise his right to defence.”
Other pastors likewise stressed that human life and fundamental rights should take precedence over differences in doctrine or denomination.
Pastor Jung-ja Yoo of the Lord’s Church said, “At 95, it is difficult for a person to manage even daily activities independently. At the very least, humanitarian consideration must be given to the life and health of an elderly person who is also a Korean War veteran.”
Taek-joong Jin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Korea Christian Leadership Institute, said, “A trial can continue, but once health and life are lost, they cannot be restored.” He added, “I hope the strict application of law and principles will be accompanied by compassion and consideration for a frail human being.”
Pastor Sang-bae Kim of Seongji Church emphasised the distinction between detention and punishment, stating, “Detention is not punishment, and guilt or innocence is ultimately determined through the trial.”
He questioned, “Is it truly necessary to confine a 95-year-old man in a detention centre simply to conduct a trial?” He added, “Allowing him to participate in the proceedings while receiving medical treatment outside custody is consistent with the dignity of a nation governed by the rule of law.”
The press conference concluded with Rev. Hwa-yeon Lee, senior pastor of Faith Baptist Church, reading a joint statement on behalf of the participating pastors.
In the statement, they urged the judiciary to consider four key points: ▲ the life, health, and human rights of the 95-year-old defendant; ▲ his human dignity and right to defence; ▲ humanitarian considerations within the framework of law and legal principles; and ▲ the need for a prompt decision on his bail application.
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