The Coordination des Associations et Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience (CAP LC), an international human rights organization with special consultative status at the U.N. Economic and Social Council, has submitted a joint written statement to the U.N. Human Rights Council expressing concern over the spread of discrimination and stigma against members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus. The statement, released by the church on July 9, urges governments to base any decisions concerning the church on verifiable evidence and clear legal standards.
CAP LC highlighted that negative perceptions and unverified materials originating in South Korea, if disseminated abroad, could seriously impact public opinion, administrative proceedings, and judicial decisions in other countries. The organization cited examples from the United Kingdom and German-speaking countries, where discrimination has moved beyond public opinion into official actions. In the UK, the Charity Commission rejected Shincheonji's registration application, describing the church as a 'cult'—a term with no clear legal definition. CAP LC noted that using such terms in official procedures can produce strong social stigma. In Germany and other German-speaking countries, members have faced workplace discrimination fueled by negative media and a critical book published in 2025 by evangelical activists.
Shincheonji Church of Jesus stated that the CAP LC submission demonstrates that the controversy is not merely a domestic issue in South Korea but one drawing international attention under human rights standards. The church emphasized that unfounded stigma could lead to other religious minorities being judged similarly, underscoring states' responsibility to protect religious minorities. CAP LC has previously raised issues at the U.N. including persecution of the Church of Almighty God in China and concerns over Japan's request for a dissolution order against the Unification Church.
The statement also addressed controversy in South Korea over political participation by church members. CAP LC criticized claims by some political forces that party membership of Shincheonji members amounts to 'religion-politics collusion,' arguing that political participation should not be treated as suspicious solely because of religious affiliation. CAP LC called on the South Korean government to uphold freedom of religion, non-discrimination, and 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 Church maintains that the case should be handled according to due process and objective evidence, not social perceptions or political controversy. The church also raised concerns about the necessity and proportionality of detaining Lee, who is 95 years old, has cooperated with the investigation, and whose key materials have already been secured.
Shincheonji Church said the CAP LC statement and the South Korean investigation raise a common question: what standards should state judicial and administrative authorities apply when dealing with religious minorities? The church argues that the issue serves as a measure of whether religious minorities' rights are equally protected in domestic and international procedures. The international community is watching to see if legal grounds and due process are consistently upheld. Ultimately, how the case is resolved will test social and institutional trust in protecting religious minorities.
