“Too Cruel for a 95-Year-Old War Veteran”: Buddhist Monk Calls for Shincheonji Chairman ManHee Lee’s Release and Fair Trial

Venrable Yongsan, the abbot of Bogwangsa Temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, is holding a one-person protest in front of the Seoul Central District Court on the morning of 2nd October, urging for a trial without detention and guaranteed medical treatment for 95-year-old Chairman ManHee Lee

On the morning of the 2nd, Venerable Yongsan, abbot of Bogwangsa Temple of the Korean Buddhist Jogye Order, held a one-person protest in front of the Seoul Central District Court, calling for a trial without detention for ManHee Lee, Chairman of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony.

Holding a picket sign outside the court, Venerable Yongsan called for consideration of Chairman Lee’s age and health, while emphasising the importance of fair judicial procedures.

“It is unacceptable to detain an elderly person without concrete evidence and conduct an unfair investigation,” he said, questioning the legitimacy and fairness of the investigation process.

He also stressed that religious affiliation or social prejudice should not influence judicial judgment. “We must not judge him without looking at the path he has taken,” he said, adding that other religious leaders had also spoken out after witnessing Chairman Lee’s activities. He called on the media and public to verify the facts rather than relying on a one-sided negative view.

Venerable Yongsan further urged the court to consider the age and health of elderly defendants when determining whether detention is necessary. “Elderly people should not be detained for matters that are not serious crimes,” he said.

He also highlighted Chairman Lee’s status as a Korean War veteran and his activities promoting world peace. “A war veteran who travelled the world calling for world peace should not be treated this way,” he said.

Raising concerns about Chairman Lee’s health while in custody, Venerable Yongsan asked, “What would you do if your health deteriorated?”

His picket highlighted the difficulties of receiving continuous treatment at the age of 95, particularly following a lumbar spine fracture, stating: “It is too cruel that the reality makes even continuous treatment difficult for a 95-year-old who has suffered a fractured lumbar spine.”

Concluding his appeal, Venerable Yongsan said, “I strongly urge for a trial without detention.”

The protest emphasised the need to carefully balance the health and dignity of elderly defendants, the right to a fair trial, and the necessity of detention, while calling for appropriate medical care for Chairman Lee.

Source: vo.la/89cCQWZ