[Statement from Shincheonji Church of Jesus on the Issuance of a Detention Warrant for Chairman Lee Man-hee] Shincheonji Church of Jesus expresses deep regret regarding the court's 24 June decision to issue a detention warrant. Chairman Lee Man-hee and the church have maintained fixed addresses and have faithfully cooperated with the authorities at every stage of the investigation, including the searches and seizures. Through repeated searches and seizures, relevant materials have already been secured, leaving no risk of the destruction of evidence, and given his advanced age of 95, there is likewise no risk of flight. Under these circumstances, the decision to impose detention is deeply regrettable in light of the principle of trial without detention under the Criminal Procedure Act. To detain a 95-year-old individual before the court has had the opportunity to determine the merits of the case is, in effect, imposing a form of physical punishment in advance. As Chairman Lee curre...
Statement by Shincheonji Church of Jesus We deeply regret the Prosecution-Police Joint Investigation Headquarters’ application for an arrest warrant against the Church’s Chairman, Mr. Lee Man-hee. Chairman Lee has acted responsibly by complying with every request from the authorities and has demonstrated good faith by cooperating fully throughout the investigation. Therefore, it is our deepest regret that a request for an arrest warrant has been filed against Mr. Lee, despite there being no risk of flight or evidence tampering. In particular, despite his advanced age of 95, Mr. Lee has consistently responded to the investigation with sincerity. This clear history of compliance points to the lack of necessity and the disproportionality of pretrial detention. Shincheonji Church of Jesus intends to present a thorough account of the relevant facts at the upcoming warrant review hearing, and we trust that the Court will render a wise judgment grounded solely in objective facts and legal me...