Liberia, July 9 -- The detention and prosecution of 95-year-old religious leader Lee Man-hee has drawn growing international scrutiny, with religious freedom advocates warning that the case raises serious questions about human rights, judicial independence, and the treatment of minority faith groups in South Korea.

Chairman Lee, founder of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, was taken into custody on June 24 and formally indicted on June 30 on allegations that he orchestrated the enrollment of approximately 50,000 church members into South Korea's conservative People Power Party between 2021 and 2024 to influence party primaries.

The charges, which do not involve allegations of violence, have prompted condemnation from international relig...