Some religious leaders in Fiji gathered in Lautoka on Wednesday evening to issue a joint statement calling on the South Korean government to release Lee Man-hee, the 95-year-old Chairman of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, expressing concern that his continued detention could undermine South Korea’s international reputation regarding human rights and religious freedom.

During a Joint Statement Signing Ceremony held in Lautoka, participating religious leaders read and signed a statement urging Korean authorities to consider Lee’s age, health,and the non-violent nature of the allegations against him.

Lee was detained on June 24th and indicted on June 29th on charges including alleged violations of South Korea’s Political Parties Act.

According to the Joint Police-Prosecution Investigation Headquarters, he is accused of directing the mass registration of approximately 50,000 church members into a political party between July 2021 and January 2024.

Shincheonji Church has denied the allegations, stating that any political participation by its members was conducted voluntarily and independently.

The church also said that Lee and the organization have fully cooperated with investigators throughout the investigation, including search and seizure procedures.

The Fijian religious leaders expressed concern that the continued detention of a 95-year-old religious leader in a case involving non-violent allegations raises significant humanitarian and human rights questions.

They urged the South Korean government and judiciary to ensure that legal proceedings uphold internationally recognized principles of human rights and due process.