Shincheonji Malawi Region held its first joint worship service and sports day with partner churches at Nyamiwaya High School, bringing together 129 church members from Blantyre.

The event focused on love, peace and unity among church members, followed by team activities including a Bible quiz, charades, three-legged races, group jump rope and relays. Trophies and stationery were awarded, with participants also working together to clean the venue.

Pastors from participating churches welcomed the event, highlighting its role in strengthening fellowship and unity. One pastor expressed hope that similar activities would continue regularly.

A Shincheonji Malawi official said the event demonstrated the value of cultural exchange and fellowship, adding that further activities involving partner churches are planned.

Participants sent messages of gratitude to loved ones and recognised sanitation workers, firefighters, delivery drivers and road maintenance crews for working through the summer heat. Volunteers also provided refreshments and calligraphy gifts featuring messages of appreciation.

One participant said the campaign prompted her to contact her mother after a long time, adding that receiving a heartfelt reply was especially meaningful.

A church official said the campaign aimed to highlight the importance of expressing gratitude and maintaining connections across generations.

The Shincheonji Volunteer Group John Tribe held a remembrance and heatwave relief campaign in Ganseok-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon, on 27th August, with 17 volunteers taking part.

Volunteers distributed 43 bottles of cold water and shared guidance on preventing heat-related illness. They also invited citizens to write messages of thanks to Korean War veterans. Thirty-six people participated, each receiving a cooling scarf in appreciation.

One participant said writing the message provided an opportunity to reflect on the veterans’ sacrifice, while a volunteer said it was encouraging to see citizens readily take part.

Lee Hwang-ju, head of the John Tribe, said the campaign aimed to give citizens relief from the heat while remembering those who sacrificed for the country. He added that the branch would continue activities honouring war veterans.

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Despite travelling overnight from Gwangju, the monk stood outside the court holding a sign urging compassion and respect for Chairman Lee’s life and human rights.

Hyegwang said he felt young compared with Chairman Lee and wanted to do what he could to support him. He remained peaceful despite opposition from another protester and concluded by bowing three times and praying for Chairman Lee’s safe return and recovery.

The protest came on the 63rd day of Chairman Lee’s detention and highlighted calls for consideration of the health, dignity, and human rights of elderly detainees.

Taebaek Jingyo representative Lee Jong-chun held a one-person protest outside the Seoul Central District Court, calling for humanitarian medical bail for 95-year-old Shincheonji Chairman ManHee Lee.

Lee protested for about an hour, urging the court to consider Chairman Lee’s age, health, and human rights. He argued that detention was unnecessary because ManHee Lee could continue to face investigation and trial outside custody.

Lee emphasised that his appeal was humanitarian rather than political, saying the issue should be viewed in terms of one person’s life, health, and human dignity.

He said he hoped the court would make a fair and reasonable decision based on common sense and principle, and described his participation as a small contribution to someone he believes has devoted his life to world peace.

As South Korea transitions into a super-ageing society, emotional isolation and relationship breakdown among the elderly have emerged as critical social challenges. While public administrative systems provide financial and physical infrastructure support, minor gaps in emotional care often remain unaddressed. To bridge this divide, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group has been operating "Baekse Manse" (meaning "Long Live One Hundred Years")—a nationwide, participation-oriented silver programme designed to promote cognitive health, physical well-being, and genuine emotional stability for seniors.

In 2025, people aged 65 and over accounted for 20.3% of Korea’s population. With growing numbers of elderly people living alone, demand for companionship and practical support is also increasing.

Dongdaemun: For 11 years, volunteers have regularly visited senior centres, providing food, health activities, counselling, and companionship. They have held 134 activities involving more than 4000 seniors.

Cheongpyeong: Volunteers visited a rural village to provide hair care, hand treatments, dementia-prevention activities, crafts, and other services for around 30 seniors.

Yangsan and Wonju: Programmes included creative activities, tea gatherings, picnics, sports, quizzes, and cultural events designed to encourage social interaction and emotional well-being.

Jinhae and Masan: Volunteers combined meals, health exercises, health education, checkups, performances, and seasonal gifts.

Although programmes differ by region, the common approach is to understand seniors’ needs and provide consistent, personal support within their communities.

A Shincheonji Volunteer Group official said the organisation will continue developing locally tailored programmes and working with communities to help seniors enjoy healthier, happier lives.

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The "Donggurang Plogging" event brought together 54 students, around 20 student council teachers, publicity staff, and volunteers. Divided into three teams, participants cleaned nearby roads, alleys, and residential areas, collecting around 500 litres of litter and cigarette butts.

The volunteers focused on areas where waste commonly accumulated. A local resident also directed them to a heavily littered area and thanked them after it was cleaned.

Despite the hot weather, participants said the experience was rewarding and meaningful. One volunteer said, “It was meaningful to serve the community together and see the area become cleaner through our cooperation.”

An Andrew Church official said the event demonstrated the students' and teachers' commitment to serving their community and added that the church plans to continue environmental clean-up efforts in areas needing attention.

Future activities will use designated zones and assigned roles for collection and waste sorting to improve efficiency.

The Western Incheon Branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group carried out an environmental cleanup at the Marine Corps Sea Preservation Movement Headquarters office at Yeonan Wharf, Incheon, on 21st August.

The activity aimed to create a more comfortable space for national merit recipients and staff during the summer. Volunteers installed donated air purifiers and dehumidifiers, cleaned the office, reorganised its bulletin board, and displayed around 40 photos of the organisation's activities.

The group also presented AI-generated "memorable military photos" to Lee Deok-hee, a national merit recipient and head of the organisation.

Volunteers and national merit recipients took part in a handkerchief- and fan-painting activity while sharing refreshments and stories.

Nam Ju-won, 75, an organisation member, expressed appreciation for the volunteers' efforts, saying the cleaning and new equipment made the office more pleasant.

Lee Deok-hee also thanked the volunteers for their continued visits and attention to the office.

Choi Seung-eon, vice branch manager, said the activity was organised to improve the environment and expressed hope that the new air purifiers and dehumidifiers would benefit those using the office during the summer.

As personal mobility devices (PMs), including electric scooters, become increasingly common in South Korea, the Songha Branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group is promoting safer use among both riders and pedestrians.

Since February, the group has held monthly safety campaigns at busy Gwangju locations, including the National Asian Culture Center, Mulbit Neighborhood Park, and Baegun Plaza Blue Path. Over six months, 70 volunteers and more than 1700 citizens participated.

The campaigns highlighted key safety rules, including holding a valid driver's licence, wearing protective gear, riding alone, observing the 25 km/h speed limit, and avoiding pavements and riding under the influence of alcohol. Volunteers also emphasised proper parking in designated areas to prevent PMs from obstructing pedestrians or commercial entrances.

To make the education more engaging, participants used a mobile game developed by the group to experience common PM safety situations and learn through interactive choices. Other activities included making reflective keyrings and safety items to improve nighttime visibility.

One participant in their 30s said the game helped them recognise dangerous behaviours and reinforced the importance of wearing protective gear and following traffic laws.

A citizen who observed the campaign welcomed the initiative, saying regular safety education at schools and other busy locations could help prevent accidents.

A Songha Branch official said, “PMs are convenient, but unsafe riding and improper parking can endanger and inconvenience both users and pedestrians.” The group plans to continue promoting PM safety and responsible parking, particularly in areas frequented by citizens.

The Shincheonji Volunteer Group honoured Korean War veterans in Jeonju and Ulsan on 14th August through practical support, personal care and citizen participation.

The Jeonju Branch visited 100-year-old veteran Jeon Man-seok in Jinan-gun, carrying thank-you letters written by local citizens. Volunteers repaired his home, replacing window rollers and screens, fixing flooring and a shoe rack, and clearing debris to improve safety.

His son expressed gratitude for the volunteers’ detailed care, saying the repairs addressed problems his father could no longer manage himself.

In Ulsan, volunteers provided haircuts and samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) to veterans at the Jung-gu Veterans Hall. Veterans unable to attend received meals at home.

The campaign also involved local citizens, who previously wrote thank-you cards and made Taegeuk-flower sock-yarn keyrings for veterans during heatwave-awareness events.

One veteran said that while he appreciated the meal and haircut, knowing that people had not forgotten their sacrifices meant the most.

The two branches said they will continue practical, citizen-participation campaigns to honour veterans and remember the sacrifices behind today’s peace.

In Jeonju, the core outreach focus was home renovation for 100-year-old veteran Jeon Man-seok and a delivery of citizen gratitude letters. The tangible impact and outcomes are replaced window sashes, screen doors, shoe racks and flooring, and a restored safe living environment.

In Ulsan, the core outreach focus was citizen-participatory street campaigns, hair-grooming service and samgyetang meal distribution. The tangible impact and outcomes are gathering citizen cards, handmaking Taegeuk keyrings, providing haircare service and delivering home-delivered hot meals.

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For 10 years, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group’s “Pink Bojabi” initiative has delivered homemade side dishes to seniors living alone, people with disabilities and other vulnerable residents, while providing regular social contact.

Launched in 2016, volunteers prepare nutritious dishes and personally deliver them to recipients. The programme has also expanded through local branches, with volunteers making regular visits and providing seasonal meals and welfare information.

Beyond food delivery, the initiative helps address social isolation. Regular visits allow volunteers to check on residents’ well-being and identify potential concerns, such as declining health or uncollected mail, which can then be reported to local community centres.

One long-time volunteer said that recipients who were initially hesitant now wait for their visits, adding that knowing they are safe is the greatest reward.

An elderly recipient also described the visits as an important source of companionship and practical support.

A local community centre official noted that government resources alone cannot provide daily monitoring of isolated households and said regular volunteer visits provide an important additional safety net.

The Shincheonji Volunteer Group said it will continue the programme to ensure vulnerable neighbours receive both practical support and meaningful human connection.

On 21st August, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Icheon Branch hosted a luncheon for 10 Korean War veterans at the Icheon branch of the Korean War Veterans Association in Gyeonggi Province.

Volunteers prepared and served homemade samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) while spending time with the veterans and listening to their stories. They also provided heatwave prevention kits containing cooling patches, wet wipes and bottled water, along with guidance on preventing heat-related illness.

Volunteer Lee Kyeong-hee said preparing a meal for those who defended the country was “a duty of gratitude.”

A branch official said the event was organised to honour veterans’ sacrifices while supporting their health during the heatwave, adding that the group will continue community programmes for veterans and other vulnerable neighbours.

A special prayer meeting calling for the release of Shincheonji Chairman ManHee Lee was held on the 19th at the Shincheonji Busan Church, attended by around 1000 believers and several pastors.

Pastor Park Shin-guk of Youngbok Church, Choi Dong-geun of the Jesus Life Mission Association and Pastor Moon Sang-heum of Tree of Life Church spoke about religious freedom, human rights and due process, noting Chairman Lee’s age of 95.

The event included worship, presentations and a joint prayer. Speakers emphasised viewing the case through the lens of religious freedom, encouraging solidarity among religious leaders and upholding the presumption of innocence and evidence-based judicial decisions.

A Shincheonji Busan Church official said the meeting aimed to raise awareness of religious freedom and human rights.

As crowded destinations, rising costs and busy schedules can make summer holidays stressful, interest is growing in quieter forms of rest, including “bookcations” that combine reading with relaxation and reflection.

Young people are increasingly viewing reading as a social activity rather than a solitary hobby. A 2024 survey found that young churchgoers particularly value Bible-based sermons that offer comfort, guidance and direction for life.

Responding to this trend, Shincheonji Church of Jesus is offering summer programmes centred on reading, reflection and community. Shincheonji Gwangju Church provides Bible reading, Quiet Time, transcription and memorisation programmes, while Shincheonji Wonju Church hosts book concerts combining Bible discussions with cultural performances and monthly book clubs.

The church is also offering summer camps designed to support busy and dual-income families. By providing facilities and activities, the programmes aim to give parents a break while offering children meaningful educational and recreational experiences.

One participant said the camp allowed her to reconnect with family members and create memories with her niece and nephew while providing children with a valuable learning experience.

The Yangsan Branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group held its “Baekse Manse” health and wellness programme for seven local seniors at Geumchon Saemaul Hall on the 18th.

Volunteers provided auricular therapy and hand massages to promote circulation and ease fatigue. They also shared information about balloon flower root and served balloon flower tea and purple sweet potato rice crackers.

The Baekse Manse (‘Long Live One Hundred Years’) programme is part of the branch’s ongoing effort to provide regular health and emotional support to local seniors. The programme operates under the slogan, ‘One day lived beautifully is beautiful enough.’

Meanwhile, Branch Manager Lee Jae-bong said the group would continue offering practical health information and activities that promote seniors’ well-being and emotional stability.

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Religious leaders held one-person protests outside the Seoul Central District Court on the 20th, calling for bail and a fair judicial process for 95-year-old Shincheonji Chairman ManHee Lee.

Rev. Lee Jung-kyung of the Presbyterian Church of Korea and Kim Jun-yeon, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Sungkyunkwan Confucian Association, criticised religious prejudice and called for the rights, presumption of innocence and advanced age of Chairman ManHee Lee of Shincheonji Church of Jesus to be respected.

Rev. Lee said he felt compelled to speak out against what he viewed as religious persecution, while Kim emphasised that the law should be applied equally and that Chairman Lee’s age and human rights should be considered.

The protests followed a joint statement adopted at the First World Joint Assembly of Pastors, which called for an end to religious discrimination and urged bail for the elderly religious leader.

The Gimhae Branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group held a veterans’ remembrance and summer-sharing campaign at Heungbu Park in Gimhae, Gyeongnam, on the 15th, commemorating the 81st Liberation Day.

Fifteen volunteers introduced citizens to the sacrifices and dedication of Korean War veterans through a photo exhibition featuring their stories and activities. Visitors also wrote thank-you postcards and added handprints to complete a Taegeukgi, expressing their appreciation for veterans.

To help citizens cope with the heatwave, volunteers distributed ice water, plum and pomegranate tea, and heatstroke prevention kits to 55 visitors.

One citizen said the exhibition reminded them that today’s peaceful lives are possible because of veterans’ sacrifices. A 95-year-old passerby also thanked the volunteers for ensuring those sacrifices are not forgotten.

A Gimhae branch official said the campaign aimed to provide relief from the heat while encouraging continued remembrance of veterans, adding that the branch would continue community-based activities promoting gratitude and sharing.

Despite the heatwave, the Geoje branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group held a veterans’ campaign to honour the sacrifices and dedication of Korean War veterans.

The 'Korean War Veteran Remembrance Campaign' was held at Okpo Traditional Market, on 6th August, to express gratitude to war veterans and encourage greater appreciation for their sacrifices in everyday life.

On that day, 45 volunteers explained the campaign’s purpose to citizens and merchants in central Okpo and the traditional market, while offering relief from the heat by distributing ice water to around 200 people.

Moreover, citizens were also invited to participate directly in the campaign. Twenty-four people wrote thank-you letters and messages to Korean War veterans, while another 32 commemorated their sacrifices by taking photos and videos in front of the campaign’s remembrance panels.

Traditional market merchants also welcomed the campaign, with some encouraging volunteers and taking commemorative photos while holding ice water.

One participating citizen said, “The peace and prosperity we enjoy today are possible because of the sacrifices of war veterans. I am grateful to the volunteers for carrying out this meaningful campaign despite the intense heat.”

Meanwhile, the volunteer experience provided an opportunity to express gratitude while fostering a culture of remembrance and sharing in the local community.

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Márk Nemes, Deputy Director of the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR), described his recent visit to Korea as “revealing,” saying firsthand meetings and field visits provided perspectives that cannot be gained from public information alone. He said he plans to continue researching Shincheonji and religious freedom based on what he observed.

Nemes spoke at a 7th July press conference in Seoul on religious and expression freedoms in Korea, where he also discussed cases involving Shincheonji in Europe, Argentina and Australia. He said the event successfully raised awareness of religious-freedom concerns, but stressed that continued discussion and research are needed.

He also emphasised that Shincheonji’s peace-related activities should be viewed as collective efforts involving members worldwide, rather than attributed solely to its leader.

Nemes identified several reasons why minority religions often receive limited or one-sided coverage. Competition for views can encourage sensational reporting, while short-form content has made audiences less likely to engage with complex issues such as religious freedom.

He said readers also have a responsibility to seek balanced information, while governments and public institutions should help prevent discrimination and persecution of minority groups.

“The media must not become a source of incitement that fuels social conflict and tension,” he said.

Following his visit, Nemes said he would review relevant reports, publish academic research and continue studying Shincheonji. He expressed concern that overly negative public portrayals can obscure the diversity and reality of religious communities.

“I want to contribute academically to making the very grey and monotonous image currently surrounding Shincheonji more vivid,” he said.

Nemes concluded that religious communities should be examined from multiple perspectives, using diverse evidence and firsthand research rather than relying on a single narrative.

The Goyang branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group (Goyang branch) held a citizen-participation event on the 17th near Deogyang-gu Office, remembering Korean War veterans and highlighting their lives and sacrifices.

Kim Gwang-su, Vice Chairman of the Seoul Branch of the Korean War Veterans Association, shared memories of serving in the war from the age of 18, including the Battle of Hanseoksan, emphasising the importance of preserving veterans’ stories.

The event featured cultural performances including samulnori (traditional percussion quartet), dance, marching band and K-pop, as well as a musical portraying families separated by the war. Citizens also participated in activities such as eco-friendly crafts, fan colouring and a Korean War-themed personality test.

The event also focused on the challenges faced by elderly veterans today. Lee Seung-ju, head of the Goyang branch, said, “Remembering veterans goes beyond expressing gratitude on commemorative days. We must also care about the environments in which they live today.”

He added that the branch would continue turning public interest in veterans into lasting respect and practical action.

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Standing in the rain, he called for a careful judicial decision, holding signs including, “Please put life before religion,” and “Please show compassion and respect human rights for the 95-year-old.”

Ven. Beopsan said he felt it was his duty to speak out peacefully, adding that he hoped his protest would help with the bail hearing. Afterwards, he stressed that advocacy should remain peaceful and avoid violence or abusive language.

He then bowed three times towards the courthouse, explaining that the gesture was intended to express his sincere wishes and offer whatever merit his actions might bring.

Ven. Beopsan reiterated his hope that Chairman Lee would be granted bail, citing his advanced age and health.

A text message received last year by the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Pyeongtaek Branch from the Gyeonggi Provincial Volunteer Centre regarding the "Notice of Selection Results for the 2025 Pyeongtaek City Volunteer Day Award Recipients." The message informs that the Pyeongtaek Branch was selected as a recipient of the Center Chairman's Award and that the award will be presented at the ceremony on 20th November.

The Gyeonggi Volunteer Center has come under scrutiny after the Shincheonji Volunteer Group’s Pyeongtaek and Guri-Namyangju branches, which had been selected for the Center Chairman’s Commendation last November, were removed from the award list just one day before the ceremony.

The two branches were notified of their selection on 1st October after their volunteer activities had been reviewed. However, on 19th November, they were told the awards had been cancelled.

The Center said the decision was unrelated to religion and resulted from accounting deficiencies identified in a public contest project, including improper expenditures and repeated requests for corrections. It cited Article 15 of its awards regulations, which allows a commendation to be revoked if an eligibility issue is later discovered.

The Center also acknowledged that there had been no problems with the branches’ volunteer achievements themselves, stating that the cancellation followed a re-examination by its Public Service Review Committee. A Center official said the same standards are applied regardless of religious affiliation and expressed regret that the issues had not been identified earlier in the screening process.

The Shincheonji Volunteer Group, however, questioned the timing and consistency of the decision. It argued that the volunteers’ years of community service—including environmental cleanup, disaster relief, support for vulnerable groups and cultural activities—should be distinguished from administrative shortcomings.

The group also called for clarification on whether other organisations with similar accounting issues had faced comparable measures. It said that without disclosure of the specific grounds for the decision, questions about fairness are likely to remain.

The controversy has also drawn comparisons with Gyeonggi Province’s 2024 cancellation of a Shincheonji event at Imjingak Peace Nuri Park on the day it was scheduled to take place. Shincheonji previously alleged religious discrimination in that case.

There is currently no confirmed evidence that the latest award cancellation was motivated by religious considerations, and the Center firmly denies such a connection. Nevertheless, the combination of a completed selection process, the last-minute cancellation and the Center’s acknowledgment that the volunteer achievements themselves were not at issue has intensified calls for greater transparency and consistency in administrative decision-making.

The Shincheonji Volunteer Group said it will continue its community service activities, emphasising that evaluations should be based on the sustainability, social contribution and transparency of volunteer work—not an organisation’s name or religious affiliation.

On the morning of 19th August, in front of the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul, a Buddhist monk stood alone on the sidewalk as streams of commuters passed by. He was Venerable Yeoryang Jeonghye, head monk of Buddha’s House, an incorporated association affiliated with the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. In his hands, he held a picket sign calling for the release and leniency of ManHee Lee, the 95-year-old chairman of Shincheonji Church of Jesus.

Asked why he had personally come to the courthouse to speak out on behalf of another religious leader, Venerable Yeoryang Jeonghye cited his “conscience as a religious leader.”

According to reports, fellow Buddhists at the temple had expressed concern and tried to dissuade him until the night before the protest. Some questioned why he would become involved in the affairs of another religion and endure the resulting difficulties. Others suggested that he simply remain at the temple. The monk, however, reportedly remained firm, saying that even if no one came to the temple, he believed it was more important to act according to his conscience than to worry about public opinion.

That decision did not come without anxiety. Venerable Yeoryang Jeonghye acknowledged that he was so nervous the night before that he could barely sleep. Nevertheless, he felt that someone needed to take the first step so that others might also find the courage to speak out. With that conviction, he decided to become the first person to hold a solo protest in support of Chairman Lee.

Once he arrived at the courthouse, however, his nervousness reportedly subsided. Watching the cars carrying people to work, he even found himself wondering which vehicle might belong to the judge.

Despite the scorching heat, he continued to hold his sign. He explained that he was there because he believed the principle of presumption of innocence should be respected and that no one should face unfair treatment because of their religious affiliation.

Venerable Yeoryang Jeonghye reiterated that allegations should be thoroughly investigated, but argued that religious leaders should not be subjected to harsher standards simply because of their position.

Regarding the 95-year-old Chairman Lee in particular, the monk called for his right to a full defence to be protected while he remains out of custody. He argued that the necessity of detention, as well as concerns about flight or destruction of evidence, should be examined carefully.

“Protecting the human rights of one person is protecting the human rights of us all,” he said, emphasising that the rule of law and respect for human dignity must be upheld together.

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