[HWPL]

[HWPL] HWPL's Statement Regarding Chairperson Man-hee Lee's Detention

Chairman ManHee Lee is the head representative of the global peace organization HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), which is striving for the enactment and implementation of the international peace law 'Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)'. The  DPCW is a legal instrument comprised of 10 articles and 38 clauses that can end wars and hostilities throughout the world. HWPL is also spreading a culture of peace and implementing peace education.

Chairman ManHee Lee experienced the cruelty and tragedy of war as a veteran of the Korean War. This is one of the reasons why he founded a global peace campaign as the head of HWPL. He has traveled the globe more than 35 times to meet and persuade politicians, legal experts, journalists, professors, peace activists, civil organization leaders, heads of tribes and others to unite them for the work of peace. The significant fruits borne out of his hard work are the World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Summit and HWPL Peace Committee. The DPCW was drafted and finalised by the HWPL Peace Committee.

How, you may wonder, do I know this? About 10 years ago, when I had just been discharged from military service, I came to know HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee while researching the topic of civil conflicts to satisfy my curiosity in ongoing global issues. At that time, the island of Mindanao in the Philippines was suffering from a major civil conflict that lasted more than 40 years, and Chairman ManHee Lee and HWPL resolved this conflict through non-violent means.

Chairman Lee brought an end to the conflict in Mindanao by holding a peace talk between the warring Catholic and Islamic groups. Before the talk, HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee held a Peace Walk to spread the culture of peace in Mindanao with the many locals who had gathered out of a desire for peace.

Chairman ManHee Lee's pressing appeal today is that humanity unites for sustainable peace in order to pass on the legacy of peace to future generations worldwide. He doesn't just talk peace, but has worked tirelessly for it through practical peace campaigns for over a decade.

I decided to become a supporter of HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee's peace initiatives because I also desire a world of peace for all posterity.

Today I'd like to introduce an article regarding HWPL's Statement Regarding Chairperson Man-hee Lee's Detention.

HWPL's Statement Regarding Chairperson Man-hee Lee's Detention

[Statement]

We Urge a Fair and Neutral Investigation of Chairman Man-Hee Lee, and Adherence to the Principle of Investigation Without Detention

Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a non-governmental organization, is registered with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). In particular, the mediation of the conflict in Mindanao, Philippines, led by Chairman Man-Hee Lee, is a prominent case that brought about a peace agreement between Catholic and Islamic leaders. Its meaningful contribution to the international community has been recognized, leading to the local commemoration of "HWPL Peace Day."

Our organization trusts the independence and fairness of the judiciary of the Republic of Korea. However, as the Criminal Procedure Act prescribes investigation and trial without detention as a fundamental principle, the repeated search and seizures have already secured sufficient evidence, leaving no risk of destruction of evidence. Furthermore, at the advanced age of 95, there is virtually no risk of flight. Therefore, the detention of Chairman Lee should be revoked, and the investigation and trial procedures should proceed under non-detention status.

In addition, we request that the investigation be conducted fairly and neutrally, based strictly on facts and evidence rather than public opinion or prejudice. We also call for humanitarian measures and the protection of his right to defense, considering Chairman Lee's age and health conditions, which require continuous medical support.

June 26, 2026 Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL)

HWPL Official Homepage

https://www.hwpl.kr/language/en/home-hwpl-_en/