On the afternoon of the 1st, in front of the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Venerable Jigwang, representative of the World Peace Practice Association, held a one-person protest calling for Chairman ManHee Lee to be tried without detention.

For approximately one hour, Venerable Jigwang stood quietly with his picket sign as cars passed and citizens headed home from work. Ignoring the looks of passersby, he remained focused on the courthouse, expressing his sincere appeal.

Explaining his motivation, he said that while observing the situation, he felt there were “many unreasonable and ethically difficult-to-understand aspects.”

He explained that although he initially felt only sorrow and sympathy, he eventually began questioning why the situation had to proceed in what he considered an unfair and one-sided manner.

“I couldn’t hide my extreme anger and frustration,” he said. “I decided that I would no longer keep it to myself, but would clearly make known what was wrong and speak up.”

He added, “Even if I face any disadvantages, I wanted to make known the injustice of this situation through whatever means I could, and demand that at least a minimum level of fairness and common sense be upheld.”

Describing himself as a “messenger of peace,” Venerable Jigwang said he regarded the protest as an act of practicing peace.

“I felt that it didn’t matter how passersby looked at me,” he said. “I am doing work for peace through this one-person protest today as an ambassador of peace.”

He also expressed sympathy for Chairman Lee, saying, “I feel heartbroken and sad when thinking about the difficulties that the elderly Chairman ManHee Lee must be facing. I think covering each other with love is the mark of a great person.”

After completing the one-hour protest, Venerable Jigwang bowed three times at the scene.

“As a missionary of peace, I raised my voice through this one-person protest with the hope that it would be of at least some help to the Chairman’s release on bail,” he said.

He further pledged, “I will participate in the protests two or three times if necessary until the Chairman is released.”

The picket sign carried the messages, “Please protect the health and human rights of the 95-year-old Korean War veteran” and “We earnestly appeal for a trial without detention for Chairman ManHee Lee.”

Venerable Jigwang emphasised the protection of the health and human rights of elderly war veterans and appealed to the court for a humanitarian and fair ruling.

Iraqi women’s rights activist Maha Al-Sakban has called for equal application of the law and protection of minority rights in relation to the detention of Shincheonji Church of Jesus Chairman ManHee Lee.

Al-Sakban said legal standards should not vary based on religion, belief or the size of a group. She also stressed that religious beliefs are personal and that majorities should not suppress minority voices or limit their participation in society.

Al-Sakban further called for judicial independence and objective application of the law, warning that political interests, public sentiment and media coverage should not influence court decisions.

She also raised concerns about the detention of elderly defendants, saying age, health and access to medical care should be considered. Referring to Chairman Lee, 95, she asked, “What can a 95-year-old actually do?”

However, there is no confirmation that political influence or religious discrimination played a role in Chairman Lee’s case. He is on trial over alleged violations of the Political Parties Act and obstruction of business, rather than charges related to his religious beliefs.

Chairman Lee’s legal team has sought bail, citing his age, health and detention conditions. Prosecutors allege that he pressured followers to join the People Power Party between 2021 and 2024 to influence party primaries.

Kenyan religious leaders and scholars have appealed to the United Nations to review the detention of 95-year-old Shincheonji Church of Jesus Chairman ManHee Lee, citing humanitarian concerns, religious freedom and due process.

Speaking in Nairobi, the scholars said they had endorsed a petition to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, calling for a humanitarian review of Chairman Lee’s detention.

They stressed that the appeal does not challenge South Korea’s judicial sovereignty, but seeks fairness, proportionality, non-discrimination and respect for fundamental human rights.

The group said Chairman Lee, who founded Shincheonji and the peace organisation HWPL, was detained on 24th June 2026, and indicted on what they described as non-violent political charges. They said his age and reported health concerns warrant humanitarian consideration.

Rev. Dr. Joseph Maryale said the campaign seeks to uphold international human rights standards and the rule of law, while Rev. Dr. Jechoniah Wambua Musembi stressed the right to freedom of conscience, belief and association.

Imam Abdul Haneen of Dawaah Center Adams Mosque said the appeal does not challenge South Korea’s judicial sovereignty, but calls for fair, impartial and humane proceedings.

The scholars also urged that public criticism of Shincheonji should not influence judicial proceedings, stressing that all religious communities deserve equal protection under the law.

They expressed hope that South Korea’s legal process would uphold the principles of justice, religious freedom and human rights.