Wooden Drums Echo Outside Courthouse in the Rain as Monks Call for Bail for 95-Year-Old Shincheonji Chairman ManHee Lee
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| On the 31st, at a press conference for the '3rd Joint Solidarity for Democracy and Religious Freedom' held in front of the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, monks including Ven. Beopjin, Abbot of Banyaseonwon of the True Religious Solidarity; Ven. Dongsan, Abbot of Dongsansa Temple of the World Buddhist Papacy Peace Foundation; Dharma Master Jingyeong, Abbot of Jiwonsa Temple of the Taego Order of Korea; Ven. Seok Dae-ung, Head Monk of Sankasia Temple of the World Buddhist Papacy; and Ven. Yongsan, Abbot of Bogwangja Temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, are shouting slogans. |
“The dignity of a society is revealed not by how it treats its strongest, but by how it treats its weakest. Chairman ManHee Lee, now 95, is awaiting a bail decision in a detention centre with a frail body. How we treat him will speak volumes about the dignity of our society.”
On the morning of the 31st, amid heavy rain, the sound of wooden clappers and Buddhist chanting echoed outside the west gate of the Seoul Central District Court. Seventeen monks gathered despite the weather, their robes soaked as they called for bail for Shincheonji Chairman ManHee Lee.
Venerable Dongsan, abbot of Dongsan Temple under the World Buddhist Pontifical Peace Foundation, emphasised that granting bail would not mean acquittal or an end to the trial.
“Bail is not an acquittal, nor are we asking for the trial to be stopped,” he said. “Please proceed with the trial as planned, but in the meantime, please do not imprison this 95-year-old elderly man.”
The “Joint Solidarity for Democracy and Religious Freedom” held its third press conference that day, urging the court to consider Chairman Lee’s advanced age and health, as well as his basic rights and right to a fair trial.
Previously, the prosecution-police Joint Investigation Headquarters requested an arrest warrant for Chairman Lee on 24th June on charges including violations of the Political Parties Act, and the court subsequently issued the warrant. Investigators allege that Shincheonji systematically encouraged members to join political parties, including approximately 56,000 believers during the People Power Party’s primary and election processes between 2021 and 2024.
Shincheonji has maintained that the detention is unjust. The group argues that investigators had already secured relevant materials through multiple search-and-seizure operations before the arrest, leaving little risk of evidence destruction. It also contends that the indictment does not explicitly state that members were coerced into joining political parties.
At the press conference, the participating monks repeatedly called for humanitarian consideration for the elderly defendant, emphasising the principle of trial without detention and the protection of his right to defence.
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| On the 31st, at a press conference for the '3rd Joint Solidarity for Democracy and Religious Freedom' held in front of the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, monks including Ven. Beopjin, Abbot of Banyaseonwon of the True Religious Solidarity; Ven. Dongsan, Abbot of Dongsansa Temple of the World Buddhist Papacy Peace Foundation; Dharma Master Jingyeong, Abbot of Jiwonsa Temple of the Taego Order of Korea; Ven. Seok Dae-ung, Head Monk of Sankasia Temple of the World Buddhist Papacy; and Ven. Yongsan, Abbot of Bogwangja Temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, are urging the granting of humanitarian bail to Shincheonji Chairman ManHee Lee, who is 95-years-old, in consideration of his human rights. |
Venerable Jingyeong, head monk of Jiwonsa Temple of the Taego Order of Korea, said, “Regardless of which religion one leads, dignity and fundamental rights as a human being must be respected.” He added, “Detaining an extremely elderly person places an immense physical and mental burden on them. A request for bail is not a special privilege, but a plea for a humanitarian judgment that protects human dignity.”
Others called for the judiciary to ensure fair proceedings and protect the defendant’s right to defence.
Venerable Seok Dae-ung, head monk of Sankasia Temple at the Pontifical Buddhist World, questioned whether continued detention constituted excessive law enforcement, noting that Chairman Lee had consistently cooperated with the investigation and trial.
“If there is no risk of flight or destruction of evidence, it is consistent with the principles of a state governed by the rule of law to allow the defendant to stand trial outside custody, subject to conditions such as residential restrictions,” he said.
Venerable Yongsan, abbot of Bogwangsa Temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, said, “Punishment and detention are not the only means of justice.” He added, “When compassion for humanity is combined with the strictness of the law, we can move towards true reconciliation that helps resolve the conflicts in our society.”
Following their statements, the monks and other participants bowed three times towards the Seoul Central District Court and urged the court to make a fair decision.
Venerable Beopjin, head monk of Banya Seonwon of the True Buddhism Solidarity, concluded, “We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking that he be viewed according to the same fair and just standards applied to ordinary citizens.” He added, “We will continue our prayers until bail is granted.”
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| On the 31st, at a press conference for the '3rd Joint Solidarity for Democracy and Religious Freedom' held in front of the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Buddhist monks are performing a collective three bows, urging the granting of humanitarian bail in consideration of the human rights of Shincheonji Chairman ManHee Lee, who is 95 years old. |
Source: vo.la/iaM7yMa
1 comments
It's not about religion it's about humanitarian compassion,the Man Hee Lee spoke of peace and unity of people and not discrimination.where is the heart?
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