Emotional Scenes as Mother Han Is Freed Briefly

Scenes of joy, tears, and prayer outside Seoul Detention Center as Mother Han is released temporarily for medical treatment

On 12^th February, Hankyoreh, a liberal South Korean daily considered the leading voice in independent journalism, ran a news item headlined “Released for 9 Days” – Members of Unificationism in Tears Tell Hak Ja Han, “Thank You, Mother”

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Hak Ja Han (한학자) – also called Mother Han – the leader of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification – an international religious movement founded in South Korea, also referred to as Unificationism (통일교) – was temporarily released from detention for ten days to receive medical treatment, prompting an emotional gathering of her followers outside a Seoul-area detention center.

Mother Han, who is well into her 80s, has been on trial while in custody since last September. She faces charges that include allegedly providing money and valuables to prominent political figures, among them South Korea’s former First Lady, Kim Keon-hee (김건희), and then ruling party lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong (권성동). Prosecutors also accuse her of making improper political solicitations connected to matters affecting the Family Federation. Mother Han denies wrongdoing, and her trial is ongoing.

On 11^th February, a Seoul court approved her request for a temporary suspension of detention on medical grounds. The court allowed her to leave the Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, just south of the capital, at 10:00 a.m. on 12^th February. She is scheduled to receive hospital treatment until 2:00 p.m. on 21^st February, after which she must return to custody. The court reportedly imposed conditions restricting her to hospital residence and limiting contact to medical staff and her legal team.

According to Hankyoreh reporter Shim Woo-sam (심우삼), the decision triggered a strong reaction among members of Unificationism, many of whom gathered outside the detention center early that morning. For supporters, the moment was highly symbolic: Mother Han had been detained for roughly 140 days and had not been outside during that time. As they waited for her to emerge, followers repeatedly called out “Mother!”, the title they use to address her.

The Hankyoreh writes that within Unificationism – officially known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification – Hak Ja Han is revered as “True Mother” or “Holy Mother Han”. Alongside her late husband, Sun Myung Moon (문선명), who founded what for decades was called the Unification Church in 1954, she is regarded by believers as a central spiritual figure and, theologically, as a co-Messiah. This religious status helps explain the intensity of emotion displayed at the scene.

When Mother Han finally exited the detention center, she was wearing a padded winter jacket and seated in a wheelchair. She did not make any public statement. A Family Federation official who came to receive her told her, “Mother, you’ve endured a lot!” Supporters shouted phrases such as “Thank you, Mother!”, “We love you, Mother!”, and “Stay strong, Mother!” Some were visibly in tears.

The Hankyoreh points out that the Federation itself issued a statement on its website welcoming the court’s decision. It said that many members – whom the religious organization refers to as “family members” (식구) [See editor’s note below] – wept upon hearing the news and expressed gratitude that she would be able to receive medical treatment.

The 24-hour Korean news channel YTN reported live from outside Seoul Detention Center as Mother Han was released,

“Several related questions were asked, but President Han gave no response and remained silent as she boarded a vehicle. […] If there are updates regarding President Han’s hospital treatment or other developments from the scene, we will bring them to you in our continuing news coverage.”

The episode underscores both Mother Han’s contested legal situation and her enduring authority within the religious movement she leads. While prosecutors pursue allegations of political influence and financial misconduct, her followers continue to frame events in spiritual and devotional terms, interpreting her temporary release not simply as a procedural legal matter but as a moment of relief and affirmation for their faith community.

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Text: Knut Holdhus, editor

Featured image above: Image reflected in car door of Mother Han being taken in wheelchair to waiting car outside Seoul Detention Center 12th February 2026. Screenshot from video by Masataka Asaoka.

[Editor’s note: The Korean expression 식구님 (shikku-nim) is an internal, honorific term used by the Family Federation to refer to its members. 식구 (食口) literally means “people who share meals”, and by extension, “family members” or “household members”. It carries a strong connotation of intimate, familial belonging, not just organizational membership.

In the Family Federation (formerly the Unification Church), members commonly refer to one another as 식구 (“family”) rather than “members” (신도) or “followers”.

Adding –님 creates 식구님, which adds respect and warmth, elevates the term in formal or public communication, signals internal solidarity and spiritual kinship.

So the term 식구님들 used in the Hankyoreh article means something closer to “our respected family members” rather than simply “Federation members”. Hankyoreh places the word inside quotation marks because it is citing the religious organization’s own statement. The newspaper does not adopt the term itself but preserves the Family Federation’s internal language to accurately reflect how the organization framed the situation.

The Federation statement reads: “As news of True Mother’s suspension of detention was reported, many 식구님들 shed tears, welcomed the court’s decision, and expressed gratitude for the opportunity for treatment.” Here, 식구님들 reinforces the idea of the Family Federation as a spiritual family and strengthens at the same time the maternal framing of Hak Ja Han as “True Mother”. It is rhetorically significant. Referring to followers as “family members” reinforces hierarchical and affective bonds: Hak Ja Han is “Mother”, and believers are her “family”.

In short, 식구님들 is an honorific internal term meaning “respected members of our (spiritual) family”, reflecting the Family Federation’s self-understanding as a spiritual family under “True Parents”.]

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