Japan and South Korea are both prosperous, successful democracies and core American allies -- but both Asian powerhouses have, in recent months, cracked down on religious freedom. trib.al/nhNi6PG
Targeting of Religious Leaders in South Korea: Long Pre-Trial Detention Risks Social Exclusion of Religion
South Korea is seeing specific religious leaders and pastors subjected to prolonged pre-trial detention and aggressive raids on churches.
Key Cases (no final convictions yet):
- Pastor Son Hyun-bo (Segero Church, Busan):
Detained since Sept 8, 2025; held for about 5 months (143 days); released early 2026 with suspended sentence.
- Dr. Hak Ja Han (Unification Church):
Detained since Sept 22, 2025 (age 83); held for more than 290 days (over 9.5 months) with several temporary medical releases.
- Lee Man-hee (Shincheonji):
Detained since June 24, 2026 (age 95); held for ~17 days so far.
In addition, many churches and pastors — including Yoido Full Gospel Church — faced aggressive raids and questioning over their political statements and controversial May 18-related remarks.
These forceful searches by special prosecutors under the Lee Jae-myung administration risk fostering the view that "religion itself is the problem in society and we don’t need it to live."
We need to bring attention to the targeting of religious leaders.
622 Followers 552 Following저는이 바보 같은 정치에 분개합니다.어른들은 아이들을 위해 무엇을 할 수 있을까요?🤷 ♀ 리트윗하는 것만으로 반드시 찬성을 의미하는 것은 아닙니다.
日本に住む韓国人です。
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5K Followers 7K FollowingThe Family Federation works to create a peaceful world based on well-functioning families and the teachings of Sun Myung Moon and Hak Ja Han, the founders.
622 Followers 552 Following저는이 바보 같은 정치에 분개합니다.어른들은 아이들을 위해 무엇을 할 수 있을까요?🤷 ♀ 리트윗하는 것만으로 반드시 찬성을 의미하는 것은 아닙니다.
日本に住む韓国人です。
間違ったところがあれば、申し訳ありませんが、お許しください🙏
12K Followers 215 FollowingUPF-Japan事務総長 千葉県出身 東京工業大学卒 Master of Divinity at the Unification Theological Seminary Doctor of Divinity at the Trinity International Seminary 国際ハイウェイ財団理事長
12K Followers 311 FollowingChairman & President - Family Federation USA. Husband, father, pastor. Working for peace that starts with God, grows through family, and reaches the world.