Co-Founder, 82, Questioned 9 Hours by Prosecutors

Prosecutor’s treatment of Co-Founder Hak Ja Han sparks outcry at home and abroad as she in spite of heart condition is kept for daylong questioning

See also Worrying Health Update for Detained Mother Han

See also SKorea: “When the Powerful Suppress the Innocent”

See also Denying Allegations: Hak Ja Han (82) in Inquiry

See also Ugly: Arrest Warrant Sought for Hak Ja Han (82)

See also Mother Han’s Arrest and Purge of Faith in SKorea

See also 70 Years On: Detention History Repeats Itself

On 17^th September, Hak Ja Han (82), Co-Founder and President of the Family Federation, appeared for questioning at the special prosecutor’s office in Seoul, South Korea. The national media reported extensively on it, as the aging religious leader, currently recovering from hospital treatment for a serious heart condition, was questioned throughout the day, for nine and a half hours.

In July, the special prosecutor arrested a former executive of the Family Federation on suspicion of giving gifts such as necklaces to Kim Keon-hee (김건희), wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol (윤석열), in exchange for favors. The prosecutor [See editor’s note below] appears to believe that President Han was involved in this matter. The investigation has also been looking into allegations that the Federation provided illicit funds to National Assembly member Kweon Seong-dong (권성동).

There have been strong reactions to what many see as a treatment disproportionately severe and lacking in basic respect for an octogenarian recovering from major surgery, raising questions about sensitivity and fairness in the investigative process.

Newt Gingrich, 50th speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999, wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account 17^th September:

“Is the South Korean Government trying to kill Mother Moon? The new leftwing South Korean government is attacking many religions, but they seem insanely intent on destroying Mother Moon. She is 83 years old, a world leader with supporters in over 150 countries. She works for peace and religious freedom. She has been in the hospital with a serious heart condition and the persecutors (not prosecutors) of the leftwing government want to interrogate her at the risk of killing her. It is inhumane and should be stopped immediately.”

The Family Federation of the USA issued on 17^th September a press release:

“President Demian Dunkley: ‘We stand with the Mother of Peace, Dr. Hak Ja Han, the Holy Mother Han’

The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification International strongly denounces today’s summons of the Mother of Peace, Dr. Hak Ja Han by South Korea’s Special Prosecutor.

‘This is not a neutral investigation. This is persecution,’ said President Demian Dunkley. ‘We stand with the Mother of Peace, Dr. Hak Ja Han, the Holy Mother Han. Her integrity and lifelong sacrifice for humanity shine brighter than any accusation.’

Dr. Han, now in her eighties, is one of the foremost female religious leaders in the world. For decades she has worked to uplift families, reconcile nations, and advance peace across continents. Millions regard her as a spiritual mother. To see her treated as a suspect is, in Dunkley’s words, ‘an offense to decency, democracy, and the very principle of freedom of religion.’

The prosecution’s case relies heavily on the word of a disgraced former member who was expelled from the movement for misconduct. ‘How can Korea, a democratic nation, base its accusations on such tainted testimony?’ Dunkley asked. ‘This is not justice. This is the weaponization of law against faith.’

The Family Federation calls on faith leaders, elected officials, and people of conscience around the world not merely to pray but to act – to speak out, write to representatives, rally communities, and demand that Korea uphold the universal right of religious freedom.

‘The eyes of the world are watching Korea today,’ Dunkley emphasized. ‘History will remember who stood silently – and who stood up.’

Rev. Demian Dunkley, President Family Federation USA is available for interviews upon request.”

Dr. Song Yong-cheon, the President of the Family Federation in South Korea, said at a large prayer vigil in Gapyeong 17^th September,

“When Mother arrived at the prosecutors’ office, with the whole nation watching, I stood behind the reporters and witnessed everything. Many people whispered that she would appear in a wheelchair, looking frail. But instead, though supported by her lawyer, she stood firmly on her own two feet, showing the nation and the world her upright and resolute stance for the truth. Before that holy dignity, I felt a mix of shame and deep respect, unable to lift my head.

Even as the flashes of cameras poured down and arrows of rude questions rained upon her, her first words were to the reporters: ‘You’ve worked hard. You’ll hear about it later.’

This was her heart – not mere sympathy, but the same anguished love with which Jesus prayed, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,’ toward the very crowd that crucified him. It was also the tearful heart of True Father, who endured endless misunderstanding and persecution, even six imprisonments, yet prayed through the night to embrace even his enemies who cast stones at him.

That same great heart of love was revealed through Mother that day – concern for others even amid a storm of accusations and criticism. It was not seeing her attackers as enemies, but as Heaven’s lost children; not despairing in suffering but radiating the dignity of Heaven that assures ultimate victory.” (Translated from Korean)

See also SKorea: Growing Concerns Over Religious Freedom

See also SKorea: “When the Powerful Suppress the Innocent”

See also Denying Allegations: Hak Ja Han (82) in Inquiry

See also Ugly: Arrest Warrant Sought for Hak Ja Han (82)

See also Mother Han’s Arrest and Purge of Faith in SKorea

See also 70 Years On: Detention History Repeats Itself

See also Korean Crisis: “True Democracy Must Serve Heaven”

See also Worrying Health Update for Detained Mother Han

Text: Compiled from various sources, introduction by Knut Holdhus, editor.

Featured image above: Dr. Hak Ja Han, the True Mother, departing for the prosecutor’s office on 17th September 2025. Photo: FFWPU

[Editor’s note: Min Jung-ki (also written Min Joong-ki, Korean: 민중기) is the special prosecutor appointed under President Lee Jae-myung (이재명) for the Kim Keon-hee (김건희) case. He is a former judge – specifically, he served as Chief Judge of the Seoul Central District Court (2018-2021) among other high-ranking judicial posts.

He leads the special investigation into multiple allegations against former First Lady Kim Keon-hee, wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol (윤석열). The probe involves serious charges, including possible corruption, bribery, stock manipulation, influence peddling, etc.

His special prosecutor team is quite large: they have requested dispatch of 40 prosecutors to the Kim Keon-hee probe. He has also appointed several deputy special prosecutors / assistants, chosen for their experience in elite criminal investigations.]

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