Noah Brown

In-seop Maeng, former National Assembly and Presidential Office correspondent

In-seop Maeng, former National Assembly and Presidential Office correspondent, recently expressed his stance on the continued detention of Shincheonji Chairman ManHee Lee.

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The rule of law demands more than the formal application of legal procedures. It demands that the power of the state be exercised with necessity, restraint, and respect for human dignity.

The Criminal Procedure Act of the Republic of Korea makes this principle explicit: “investigation of a suspect shall, in principle, be conducted without detention” (Article 198, Paragraph 1). The Constitution likewise guarantees the presumption of innocence until a final guilty verdict is rendered (Article 27, Paragraph 4).

These protections exist for a reason. Liberty is the rule; detention is the exception. Under the Criminal Procedure Act, detention requires specific grounds, including the absence of a fixed residence, a risk of destroying evidence, or a risk of flight (Articles 70 and 201).

Those requirements should not be treated as technicalities. They are safeguards against unnecessary deprivation of liberty.

That is why the detention of Chairman ManHee Lee, at 96 years of age, deserves the most rigorous scrutiny.

Lee is a Korean War veteran who has spent decades publicly promoting peace in Korea and internationally. His activities have included the Mindanao Peace Treaty in the Philippines, the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), the World Peace Tour, and campaigns encouraging plasma and blood donations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

None of these achievements places anyone above the law. But neither should they be dismissed as irrelevant when determining whether detention is necessary. An exceptionally advanced age, established circumstances, public activities, and the absence of a demonstrated risk of flight or evidence destruction are all factors that warrant careful consideration.

At 96, detention carries consequences far beyond the restriction of physical liberty. It can affect health, access to counsel, preparation for trial, and the practical ability to exercise the right of defence. When a less restrictive alternative can adequately protect the integrity of the proceedings, subjecting an exceptionally elderly person to detention risks turning an exceptional measure into an unnecessarily severe one.

This is precisely where humanitarianism and the rule of law converge.

Human rights principles increasingly recognise that detention must be proportionate to its purpose and must take account of an individual's age and health. Across different legal systems, mechanisms such as bail, alternative measures, compassionate release, and sentence modification reflect a fundamental proposition: justice does not require the state to disregard human dignity.

Nor can comparisons with elderly defendants prosecuted for Nazi-era atrocities settle the issue. Those cases involved allegations concerning genocide, crimes against humanity, and other grave historical crimes. Their extraordinary nature cannot provide a universal justification for detaining every elderly defendant in every circumstance.

The proper question is far simpler: Are the legal grounds for detention actually present, and is detention genuinely necessary?

If the answer is no, detention should not be imposed merely because it is available.

Some will argue that Lee's public contributions or status as a veteran should have no bearing on his treatment under the law. That concern deserves respect. Equality before the law means that public prominence cannot purchase immunity.

But the alternative to preferential treatment is not indiscriminate detention.

If Korean law establishes non-custodial investigation as the principle, then allowing a 96-year-old defendant to remain free while proceedings continue is not a special privilege. It is the ordinary legal position unless the statutory grounds for detention are demonstrated.

Indeed, the greater threat to the rule of law would be to reverse this principle—to treat detention as the starting point and liberty as the exception.

This is why the issue extends beyond Chairman ManHee Lee himself. It concerns what society expects from its justice system when confronted with an exceptionally elderly defendant. Do we want a system that exercises every available power simply because it can, or one that exercises state power only when it is demonstrably necessary?

A mature democracy should choose the latter.

Justice must protect the integrity of legal proceedings, but it must also protect human dignity. The two principles are not enemies. They are mutually reinforcing. The stronger the rule of law, the greater the responsibility to ensure that detention is used only when the law genuinely requires it.

For a 96-year-old Korean War veteran, this principle should be especially clear. If the statutory grounds for detention have not been established, there is no compelling reason to transform the judicial process into an unnecessary deprivation of liberty.

The ideals of reconciliation, forgiveness, and peace associated with former President Dae-jung Kim should likewise remind us that justice need not be synonymous with severity. The dignity of the individual should remain intact even when the state exercises its authority.

A trial without detention would not mean abandoning accountability. It would not place ManHee Lee above the law. It would allow the law to take its course while respecting the presumption of innocence, the statutory preference for non-custodial investigation, proportionality, and human dignity.

The question is therefore not whether ManHee Lee should receive special treatment. The question is whether the law's own preference for liberty should be respected.

When detention is meant to be the exception, making an exception of liberty is itself a departure from the rule of law.

For the sake of justice, human dignity, and the integrity of the legal system, the appropriate path is clear: let the trial proceed without detention.

Source: vo.la/AhFDqKP

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On 1st March, the day of the March 1st Independence Movement Day, volunteers from the Shincheonji Andrew Church, draped in the Korean flag, are carrying out environmental cleanup activities in the back alleys of Dong District, Busan, where public services do not reach, in celebration of the holiday.

Peace and community warmth are built through everyday acts of care—not just words or public gestures. In Busan’s Dong District, Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Andrew Tribe (Andre Church), has demonstrated this through three years of consistent community service.

Three Years of Consistent Environmental Service

Over the past three years, Andrew Church volunteers have carried out 110 plogging activities in Dong District and around the Andrew Training Centre.

During a recent “Dong-gu Rang Jupging” campaign, more than 80 students and teachers collected around 500 litres of household waste. Rather than choosing convenient locations, volunteers focused on areas identified by residents as needing attention.

Their environmental efforts are complemented by seasonal community activities:

- Spring: Potted flowers and New Year greetings for local residents.

- Summer: Gifts, balloon art and snacks for local children.

- Chuseok and Lunar New Year: Traditional rice cakes for senior centres and local shops.

- Late autumn: Homemade cookies and treats delivered to more than 30 local merchants and city bus drivers.

From One-Time Assistance to Ongoing Partnership

Continued engagement has helped build trust with local shopkeepers, some of whom now warmly welcome volunteers and support community activities.

In late 2026, Andrew Church plans to hold a Local Merchants’ Roundtable, creating an opportunity for business owners to share challenges and discuss practical ways to support the local economy.

Following a resident survey in May 2026, the church has also incorporated community feedback into its activities, consulting residents and local authorities before clean-up events to ensure they address local needs without disrupting daily life.

Building Peace Through Community Partnership

Andrew Church’s approach centres on consistency, communication and genuine relationships rather than one-off events. By listening to residents and treating neighbours as partners, its volunteers continue to strengthen community connections and contribute to a cleaner, warmer neighbourhood in Busan.

Source: https://vo.la/1uIJMSl

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Participation in a small group at Shincheonji Gwacheon Church

Social isolation among young people has emerged as a growing concern in South Korea. A report by the Korea Economic Association and the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs estimated that approximately 538,000 young adults aged 19–34 were socially reclusive in 2024, more than double the 244,000 recorded in 2022. The report also estimated the annual social and economic costs of prolonged isolation at more than KRW 5.3 trillion.

In response, Shincheonji Church of Jesus, John Tribe (Gwacheon Church) has developed interest-based small groups where young adults can form connections through shared hobbies and activities.

Creating Safe Spaces Through Shared Interests

Rather than relying on formal or rigid structures, Gwacheon Church offers small groups focused on activities such as photography, dance, keychain making, outdoor trips and sports. The approach allows participants to develop relationships gradually in a comfortable environment.

For 29-year-old Ye-ji Lee, the groups provided encouragement during a difficult period of career uncertainty and social anxiety.

“When I blamed myself and built walls around myself, the warmth and support of my small-group members gave me great strength,” she said. “With encouragement and advice from mentors, I gradually overcame my fear of communicating with others.”

From Receiving Support to Supporting Others

For some participants, the experience has developed into a desire to contribute to others.

Tae-hee Lee, 28, experienced social isolation after graduating from secondary school, partly due to difficult working conditions and experiences of social prejudice. Taking on a leadership role within a small group helped him develop stronger relationships and a greater sense of purpose.

“Isolation made my thoughts and actions focused mainly on myself,” Lee said. “Through interacting with the group, I learned the value of considering others, and that gradually developed into leadership. The experience helped me become someone who could contribute to society.”

Today, Lee volunteers in his community, teaching smartphone skills to senior citizens and participating in environmental cleanups.

Building Connections Through Community

A representative of Shincheonji Gwacheon Church said the role of religion should extend beyond numerical growth to helping people build meaningful connections with society.

Through shared interests, mutual support and community participation, the small-group initiative aims to provide young adults experiencing isolation with opportunities to reconnect, develop confidence and contribute to their communities.

Source: https://vo.la/jAJmaz5

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Venerable Tae-min Oh of Gyeonbulsa Temple, South Gyeogsang Province (A.I generated)

Venerable Tae-min Oh of Gyeonbulsa Temple, South Gyeogsang Province, recently expressed his stance on the continued detention of Shincheonji Chairman ManHee Lee.

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I ask the 27th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court: When will the court finally decide on Chairman ManHee Lee’s bail application?

The court held a bail hearing on 21st August. At the time of the latest reporting, no decision on bail had been announced. Instead, Lee’s legal team has repeatedly sought temporary suspension of detention on health grounds. The court initially granted such a suspension, later extended it until 11th September, and Lee was subsequently returned to detention when the extension expired. A further application for suspension was then heard on 14th September.

This sequence raises an important question: Why has the bail application remained unresolved while temporary measures continue to be used?

Media reports have described Lee’s repeated applications for suspension of detention. But this framing risks overlooking the distinction between the two procedures. A suspension of detention is a temporary measure, while bail concerns whether a defendant should continue to be detained while the trial proceeds. The two should not be treated as interchangeable.

The repeated cycle has placed a 95-year-old defendant in a situation involving detention, temporary release and renewed detention. Whatever view one takes of the underlying allegations, the prolonged uncertainty surrounding his detention warrants clear judicial explanation.

There is also a question of consistency. The court has already considered requests for temporary release on health grounds and has granted and extended suspension of detention. Yet the separate bail application remains unresolved. For the defendant and his legal representatives, this naturally raises questions about how the different forms of relief are being considered.

Time does not carry the same weight for everyone. For a court, a period of several weeks may be one part of a lengthy proceeding. For a 95-year-old defendant, however, the passage of time has a different personal significance.

The court’s responsibility is not to respond to public pressure, whether in favour of release or continued detention, but to apply the law and provide a reasoned decision. Questions about public reaction should not replace the judicial process.

A bail decision is ultimately a matter for the court. If the application is to be granted, the court should issue its decision; if it is to be denied, the reasons should be clearly stated. What matters is that the decision is made transparently and according to the applicable legal standards.

The public, the defendant and all parties involved deserve clarity. The court should now provide its decision and explain the legal basis for it.

Source: vo.la/FH8ZwZZ

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A Shincheonji lecturer and Pastor Henry Nitswali (right) pose for a commemorative photo holding the agreement at the signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on scriptural exchange, held at the Blantyre Center in Malawi

A Scripture Exchange Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) ceremony was held in Blantyre, Malawi, on 15th September 2026, bringing together around 60 pastors and church leaders with the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Bartholomew Tribe (Malawi Region).

Nine pastors participated in the ceremony, with five renewing existing partnerships and four joining for the first time. Participants expressed a shared commitment to studying and teaching the Bible accurately. The event also attracted coverage from the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), which attended to report on the ceremony and interview participants.

Pastor Gift Diba signs the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the exchange of teachings at the ceremony held at the Shincheonji Blantyre Center in Malawi

Strengthening Biblical Ministry Through Education

The ceremony included sessions focused on pastoral responsibilities, biblical ministry and continued education. Participating pastors:

- Attended Biblical Ministry Seminars on the role of pastors and guiding congregations according to Scripture.

- Signed formal commitments to continue exchanging biblical teachings and working together in ministry.

- Participated in a signboard presentation ceremony, where selected partner churches received Shincheonji Church of Jesus signboards, marking a new stage in their partnership.

Pastor Meg Ederson listens to a lecture during the signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the exchange of biblical teachings, held at the Shincheonji Blantyre Center in Malawi.

Pastors Reflect on Their Ministry Calling

Pastor Gift Dibwa of Lions Gathering Christian Centre shared how the training affected his understanding of pastoral responsibility:

“I realised that as a pastor, my primary duty is to testify to the truth of God’s Word. From now on, I will dedicate my time and life entirely to God’s work.”

Other participating pastors also expressed their intention to continue studying Scripture and sharing what they have learned with their congregations.

Continuing Biblical Education Across Malawi

The Shincheonji Malawi Region said it plans to provide ongoing educational support to participating pastors as they continue their ministry in their respective churches.

Through continued Scripture study and collaboration, the initiative aims to develop an ongoing network of pastors engaged in Bible-focused education across Blantyre and other parts of Malawi.

Source: https://vo.la/rWHOxNe

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The Busan-Gyeongnam Regional Federation of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group is clearing soil piled up in the yard of a flood-damaged house in Geoje, Gyeongnam, and loading it onto a cart.

“My 82-year-old father and I didn’t know where to begin. Seeing the volunteers work with such dedication, as if they were cleaning their own homes, left me deeply grateful.”

Following torrential rains that caused severe flooding in Geoje from 15th-17th August, many homes remained covered in mud and filled with damaged furniture and household items. Elderly residents and families with limited manpower struggled to complete the recovery.

From 26th August to 11th September, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Busan-Gyeongnam Regional Federation carried out 10 recovery operations at 18 sites, involving 273 volunteers.

Working with the Geoje City Volunteer Center, volunteers removed mud and debris, cleared drains and yards, moved water-damaged furniture and household items, and continued returning to sites where recovery work remained unfinished.

Across the 10 operations, volunteers removed 12,200 litres of soil and debris, approximately 4 tonnes of damaged furniture, and household waste equivalent to a 1-ton truckload.

The Shincheonji Volunteer Group Busan-Gyeongnam Regional Federation is moving flooded household items and furniture out of a flood-damaged house in Geoje, Gyeongnam.

The Shincheonji Volunteer Group Busan-Gyeongnam Regional Federation is moving flooded household items and furniture out of flood-damaged homes in Geoje, Gyeongnam.

The Shincheonji Volunteer Group Busan-Gyeongnam Regional Federation is clearing soil and debris piled up behind flood-damaged houses in Geoje, Gyeongnam.

Bags filled with soil removed from flood-damaged homes in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, are piled up on one side.

Residents expressed their appreciation for the continued support. One said, “More than three weeks have passed since the flood, and we didn’t know how to begin the recovery. It is heartwarming to see young volunteers come from far away to help.”

A volunteer group official said, “Completing emergency recovery does not mean residents can immediately return to normal life. We will continue providing practical support by identifying areas that still need help and assisting residents in restoring their daily lives.”

The Shincheonji Volunteer Group plans to continue working with the Geoje City Volunteer Center to identify additional areas in need and provide follow-up recovery support.

Source: vo.la/4LyVn5j

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