Pastor Shin-guk Park held a one-person protest outside the Seoul Central District Court at 8am on 9th September, calling for medical bail and a trial without detention for 95-year-old Shincheonji Chairman ManHee Lee.

Emphasising Chairman Lee’s status as a Korean War veteran, Pastor Park said, “Korean War veterans are heroes of our society,” and argued that medical bail should be considered in recognition of those who sacrificed for the nation.

He stressed that he was “not saying that we should not hold a trial,” acknowledging that Chairman Lee should face justice according to the law. However, he questioned whether “investigating and trying a 95-year-old man while he is in custody truly takes human rights into sufficient consideration.”

Pastor Park also urged the public to respect those who served during the Korean War, asking, “Who else would sacrifice their youth and blood for the country?” He said that honouring veterans is a responsibility the Republic of Korea should uphold.

During the hour-long peaceful demonstration, he also called for prayer, saying, “We must unite in prayer and pray even more earnestly.” Quoting the Gospel of John, he appealed to believers to “pray even more earnestly” so that God’s power might be manifested.

The protest took place amid the morning flow of commuters and traffic, with Pastor Park positioning his sign so that pedestrians and motorists could see his message.

The demonstration follows recent protests by religious figures outside the Seoul Central District Court calling for Chairman ManHee Lee’s medical bail and release.