SEOUL, South Korea-International human-rights and religious-freedom experts have raised concerns over the state of freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression, due process, and the treatment of religious minorities in South Korea, calling for the equal protection of fundamental rights.
Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF), together with CAP Liberté de Conscience (CAP LC), which has accredited Economic and Social Council status at the United Nations, Forum for Religious Freedom Europe (Foref), Center for Studies on New Religions (Cesnur) and Bitter Winter, held a news conference at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents’ Club focused on freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression in South Korea.
Among the issues discussed was the detention of 95-year-old Shincheonji Chairman Lee Man-hee, with experts raising questions about proportionality, humanitarian considerations and due process.
The organizations called on South Korean authorities to ensure that legal and administrative measures involving religious communities remain neutral, proportionate and consistent with international human-rights obligations.
The conference also addressed broader concerns, including the treatment of other religious leaders, conscientious objection, alleged hostility toward minority religious communities.
Concerns have persisted regarding Segero Church in Busan, which has reportedly continued to face harassment and official scrutiny even after Pastor Son Hyun-bo was released from detention.
Questions were raised about conscientious objection and public hostility toward a mosque project in Daegu, and religious accommodation in educational settings.
Over the past decades, HRWF has documented the imprisonment of hundreds of Jehovah’s Witnesses in South Korea as conscientious objectors. Although alternative civilian service was later introduced, critics maintain that it has been implemented in a punitive manner rather than as a genuine rights-respecting alternative.
HRWF Associate Director Hans Noot said the issues ‘lie at the heart of democratic society,’ stressing that fundamental rights must apply equally to all, regardless of religious affiliation.
Other experts, including Thierry Valle of CAP CL, Michael Langhans of Foref Germany, Márk Nemes of Cesnur and Massimo Introvigne of Cesnur and Bitter Winter, discussed the legal, humanitarian and social implications of these developments and their potential impact on freedom of religion or belief in South Korea.
Archbishop Ledesma stresses church-state separation
Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, attended the press conference virtually.
In a recent interview on the issue, he reaffirmed the importance of the constitutional principle of separation of church and state as a safeguard for human dignity, freedom of conscience, and freedom of religion and belief.
‘The separation of church and state has been instrumental in safeguarding the dignity and freedom of conscience of everyone,’ Ledesma said.
He emphasized the importance of due process and the presumption of innocence, saying: ‘Everyone has to first be considered innocent until there is some evidence or proof given otherwise.’
Ledesma, who has worked with Chairman Lee Man-hee and Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) in promoting interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding in Mindanao, said he was ‘surprised and shocked’ upon learning of Lee’s detention.
The archbishop said HWPL’s work in Mindanao in promoting dialogue among religious leaders and respect for different religious beliefs help communities ‘live together’ despite their differences.
Ledesma extended his prayers and support to Lee, expressing hope that he would ‘weather this with courage and also with truthfulness’ as he continues working for peace and the cessation of armed conflict.
His message served as a reminder that safeguarding due process, religious freedom, and the constitutional principle of separation of church and state remains a continuing responsibility of democratic societies, including the Philippines.
The conference participants signed a letter calling on the government of South Korea to immediately release Chairman Lee from custody.