Alarm Over State Interference in Religion

State interference in Japan and South Korea draws scrutiny at international religious freedom summit in Washington DC

Tokyo, 4^th February 2026 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article. 

International Religious Freedom Summit Held in the U.S.

Persecution Domino Effect from Japan and South Korea

Concerns Raised by U.S. Faith Office Advisers over Detention of Elderly Hak Ja Han

by Yuya Kawase (川瀬 裕也)

The International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit 2026, aimed at promoting freedom of religion worldwide, was held in Washington, D.C., over a two-day period beginning on 2^nd February. Government officials, religious leaders, and human rights activists from various countries participated, engaging in discussions on increasingly serious challenges to religious freedom around the world, including issues surrounding the Japanese government’s request for a dissolution order against the religious corporation Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church).

See also Religious Freedom Threat: China-Led Alliance

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See also Emotional Scenes as Mother Han Is Freed Briefly

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At a dinner reception on the first day, Paula White, Senior Adviser to the White House Faith Office, emphasized that Pastor Son Hyun-bo (손현보), who had been detained in South Korea, was released as a result of efforts by the Trump administration. She appealed for cooperation among people who follow God and their conscience, declaring that “chains are broken, and freedom prevails.”

At the same time, she referred to the continued detention of Hak Ja Han (한학자), president of the Family Federation, expressing “serious concerns” regarding her health, dignity, and human rights. She further named Japan and South Korea explicitly, calling on them to protect religious freedom “fully, fairly, and consistently.”

Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich also delivered a video message, stressing that religious freedom is “an unalienable right given by the Creator.” He pointed out that state intervention between God and citizens represents “the essence of the growing crisis in Japan and South Korea.” He went on to criticize as “a grave abuse of power” the situation in which the 83-year-old Han, who suffers from visual impairment and difficulty walking, remains in detention, and urged the South Korean government to consider her release. [See the message of Newt Gingrich]

Subsequently, Masaichi Hori (堀正一), president of the Japan-based religious corporation Family Federation, took the stage and cited reports that in December last year South Korean President Lee Jae-myung (이재명) instructed the Minister of Justice to investigate Japan’s move toward a dissolution order and examine whether similar measures could be applied in South Korea. Hori warned that “a domino effect has begun in which religious persecution spreads to other democratic nations, Asian countries, and the world.”

He further quoted Italian sociologist of religion Massimo Introvigne, who has argued that “China is the force driving this domino effect,” and appealed that “only the United States and its allies can put a stop to religious persecution.” [See Rev. Masaichi Hori’s speech]

In addition to these speeches, panel discussions were held featuring speakers such as Katrina Lantos Swett, former chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF); Thomas McDevitt, chairman of The Washington Times; and international lawyer Tatsuki Nakayama (中山達樹), among others.

See also Religious Freedom Threat: China-Led Alliance

See also Worsening Health Becomes Major Media Issue

See also When Conscience Dies: Global War on God

See also Gingrich Warns Against State Control of Faith

See also Domino Effect of Religious Persecution in Asia

See also Japan: “MEXT Fabrication” Storm Grows Online

See also Unificationism, Industry, and Cold War Survival

See also Current Korean Situation: Context and Key Issues

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See also S. Korea’s Troubling Pattern of Selective Probes

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See also Religion Between Engagement and Withdrawal

See also Climate of Suspicion: Peace Reframed as Politics

See also Korea: Can Religion and Politics Be Disentangled?

See also Unificationism Emerging as a World Religion

Featured image above: Paula White, Senior Adviser to the White House Faith Office, delivers a speech 2^nd February 2026 in Washington, D.C., USA. Photo: Yuya Kawase (川瀬 裕也)

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Related to alarm over state interference: Mother Han’s December Trial: Long Detention Ahead

Also related to alarm over state interference: A 10-Minute Visit to Mother Han in Detention

Also related to alarm over state interference: Denying Allegations: Hak Ja Han (82) in Inquiry

Also related to alarm over state interference: SKorean Court’s Sharp Criticism of Prosecutors

And also related to alarm over state interference: Detention: Harsh Cell Conditions Spark Outcry

More, related to alarm over state interference: Ugly: Arrest Warrant Sought for Hak Ja Han (82)

And more, related to alarm over state interference: Critics Warn of “Authoritarian Drift” in SKorea

Even more, related to alarm over state interference: Court Decision to Prolong Detention Condemned

Still more, related to alarm over state interference: Co-Founder, 82, Questioned 9 Hours by Prosecutors

Also related to alarm over state interference: Democratic Party’s Assault on Family Federation

And even more, related to alarm over state interference: Mother Han (82) in Poor Health in Damp, Cold Cell

And still more, related to alarm over state interference: Korean Crisis: “True Democracy Must Serve Heaven”

And yet more, related to alarm over state interference: Faith Leaders Protest State Assault on Religion

Also related to alarm over state interference: News Release Blasts Indictment of Hak Ja Han, 82

More, related to alarm over state interference: 70 Years On: Detention History Repeats Itself

And more, related to alarm over state interference: Trump Raises Alarm Over Church Raids in Korea

Even more, related to alarm over state interference: Mike Pompeo Calls Probe of Co-Founder “Lawfare”

Still more, related to alarm over state interference:  Korean Faith Crackdown: USA Urged to Confront It

Yet more, related to alarm over state interference: Korean Bribery Scandal: Media Clears Federation

And also related to alarm over state interference: Raids Blur Line Between Justice and Politics

More, related to alarm over state interference: Heavy-Handed Raid on Sacred Sites Condemned