Lee Man-hee

Lee Man-hee (Korean: 이만희; born 15 September 1931) is a South Korean religious leader, and founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, which is a South Korean religious group with teachings derived from Christianity. Quotes about Lee The accusations against Chairman Lee revolve around the claim that he encouraged followers to join an opposition political party. Other allegations, including tax‑related ones, have appeared as auxiliary charges. None of these justify keeping a ninety‑five‑year‑old religious leader in a detention center during a heatwave. The influential “The Korea Times Korea Times,” in an op‑ed published on 3 September, observed that Korean law punishes religious leaders who influence the political choices of their devotees, while leaders of labor unions and several civic groups may do so without fear of imprisonment. The article described this asymmetry as a residue of the country’s authoritarian past, a legacy that still singles out religious leaders for special scrutiny.Chairman Lee’s case exposes a tension between democratic institutions and old reflexes. South Korea has built a reputation for constitutionalism and [civil] rights, yet the treatment of this elderly detainee raises questions that cannot be dismissed. His age, his long and distinguished public life, and the non‑violent nature of the allegations call for restraint. While amending Korean election laws to align with international law’s provisions on the rights of religious leaders and organizations to be active in politics is a long-term project, Chairman Lee’s detention conditions, as described in Geneva, raise an urgent problem. Massimo Introvigne, "Chairman Lee: A September Voice in Geneva for a 95-Year-Old Prisoner", Bitter Winter (September 24, 2026) External links Category:1931 births Category:Living people Category:New religious movement leaders