An international human rights organization has called on the United Nations to address growing discrimination against members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, warning that unverified negative perceptions originating in South Korea are influencing administrative and judicial decisions abroad.
CAP LC, the Coordination des Associations et Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience, submitted a joint written statement to the U.N. Human Rights Council on July 9, expressing concern over the spread of stigma against Shincheonji members. The group, which holds special consultative status with the U.N. Economic and Social Council, urged governments to base any decisions concerning the church on verifiable evidence and clear legal standards.
The statement highlighted cases in the United Kingdom and German-speaking countries. In the UK, the Charity Commission rejected Shincheonji's registration application, describing the church as a "cult"—a term without a clear legal definition. CAP LC argued that such language in official procedures can produce strong social stigma. In Germany and other German-speaking countries, members have faced workplace discrimination fueled by negative media coverage and a critical book published in 2025 by evangelical activists.
Shincheonji Church said the statement demonstrated that the case is not merely a domestic controversy but one drawing international attention under human rights standards. The church emphasized that unfounded stigma is causing disadvantages for individual members in workplaces, families, and social lives, and called for administrative and judicial decisions to be based on clear legal standards and verifiable evidence.
The statement also addressed controversy over political participation in South Korea. CAP LC criticized claims by some political forces that church members' party membership amounts to "religion-politics collusion," arguing that political participation should not be treated as grounds for suspicion solely due to religious affiliation. The group called on the South Korean government to uphold freedom of religion, non-discrimination, and state religious neutrality.
Meanwhile, South Korea is investigating allegations related to church members' party membership. On June 24, a court issued an arrest warrant for Chairman Lee Man-hee, citing concerns including possible destruction of evidence. On June 29, the government joint investigation headquarters indicted Lee while in detention on charges including violations of the Political Parties Act. Shincheonji maintains that the case should be handled according to due process and objective evidence, not social perceptions or political controversy.
The church also raised questions about the necessity and proportionality of detention, noting that Lee, born in 1931, is 95 years old, has cooperated with the investigation, and key materials have already been secured through searches and seizures.
Shincheonji said the cases of discrimination cited in CAP LC's statement and the investigation in South Korea raise a common question: what standards should state authorities apply when dealing with religious minorities? The church argued that the issue goes beyond one religious group and serves as a measure of whether the rights of religious minorities are equally protected. It said the international community is watching to determine whether legal grounds and due process are being consistently upheld.
Ultimately, how the case is resolved will test the strength of social and institutional trust in the protection of religious minorities, according to the church. SCJ TV, the official broadcasting channel of Shincheonji Church, aims to make Bible-based teachings accessible worldwide.
