ManHee Lee, 95, chairman of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, has again been temporarily released from detention after the Seoul Central District Court granted his application to suspend the execution of his detention warrant. This is the third such suspension since his detention in June.

The repeated suspensions highlight concerns over the ability of a 95-year-old detainee with health problems to endure continued detention. While suspension of detention allows temporary release for urgent reasons such as serious illness, the measure is only temporary and may require a return to detention once it expires.

The principles of presumption of innocence and trial without unnecessary detention are important safeguards in criminal proceedings. Detention should serve procedural purposes, such as preventing flight or evidence destruction, rather than becoming a form of punishment before a final verdict.

Chairman Lee's advanced age and health also raise concerns about his ability to exercise his right to a full defence, including reviewing extensive case materials and communicating effectively with his legal team.

Rather than relying on repeated temporary suspensions, bail with strict conditions—such as financial guarantees and residence restrictions—could provide an alternative while allowing the trial to proceed. This would allow the court to determine the case on its merits while taking into account the defendant's health, legal rights, and the requirements of the judicial process.