Court Extension of Mother Han’s Medical Release

South Korean court grants further extension of medical release to Mother Han as legal battle continues

On 29^th May 2026, the South Korean news agency News1 (뉴스1) reported that a Seoul court had extended by one month the suspension of detention granted to Hak Ja Han (한학자) – also called Mother Han – the co-founder and current leader of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification – in Korea often referred to simply as Unificationism (통일교).

See also Alleged Bias: Investigating the Investigators

See also Mother Han Denies Charges, Declines to Testify

See also Mother Han Delivers 10-Minute Court Statement

See also Defense Challenges Core Claims of Indictment

See also Korean Media Allegations: Clarifying the Facts

Mother Han, one of the most influential religious figures in modern South Korean history, is currently standing trial on charges pressed by special prosecutors appointed by the current left-leaning Lee Jae-myung (이재명) administration. They are investigating whether organizations connected to the Family Federation supported leading politicians or sought influence in legally prohibited ways.

According to the News 1 report, the decision was made by the 27th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court. Mother Han’s temporary release from detention had originally been scheduled to end on 30^th May, but the court extended it until 30^th June 2026 at 2 p.m. According to the court’s conditions, she may stay only at the hospital where she is receiving treatment and is forbidden from contacting witnesses or other people connected to the case, either directly or indirectly.

For readers unfamiliar with the South Korean legal system, a “suspension of detention” does not mean that charges are dropped or that a defendant is acquitted. Instead, it is a temporary release granted for humanitarian or medical reasons while the trial continues. South Korean courts may approve such requests in cases involving serious illness, medical treatment, childbirth, or urgent family matters. The decision takes effect immediately once approved by the court.

Mother Han (83) has repeatedly sought this form of release since being taken into custody in September 2025. Earlier requests were conditionally approved for three days in November 2025 and ten days in February 2026. News reports stated that she had been receiving treatment for injuries sustained in a fall, as well as eye-related medical care. On 27^th March 2026, the court approved another suspension request connected to shoulder treatment. Since then, her temporary release from detention has been prolonged twice and will now altogether last roughly three months. Observers see this as a sign of a significant worsening of Mother Han’s medical condition.

After Sun Myung Moon’s (문선명) death in 2012, Mother Han assumed the central leadership role within the movement.

The News1 article by reporter Yu Su-yeon  (유수연) points out that the special prosecutors allege that Hak Ja Han conspired with senior officials of the Family Federation, including Jeong Won-ju (정원주), a vice director at Cheonmuwon – an administrative body within the Federation – and Yoon Yeong-ho (윤영호), the former head of the world headquarters. According to the indictment, the group unlawfully delivered 100 million won (roughly US$70,000 at current exchange rates) in cash to conservative lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong (권성동) of the People Power Party in January 2022 as political funding.

The prosecution also claims that between March and April 2022, Family Federation-related funds totaling 144 million won were divided into smaller donations and distributed to several lawmakers affiliated with the People Power Party. This practice, often described in Korea as “split donations”, is controversial because it can allegedly be used to conceal the true origin of political contributions or evade campaign finance restrictions.

Another major allegation involves luxury gifts reportedly given to Kim Keon-hee (김건희), the wife of former President Yoon Suk-yeol (윤석열) and former First Lady of South Korea. Prosecutors claim that in July 2022 Hak Ja Han and Yoon Yeong-ho (윤영호) arranged the delivery of expensive items worth around 80 million won, including a diamond necklace from the British luxury jewelry company Graff. Investigators further allege that funds from the religious organization were embezzled in the process of obtaining money and valuables used for unlawful political activities and gifts.

Mother Han and the other defendants are now continuing to face trial while the court monitors compliance with the conditions attached to her temporary medical release.

The religious movement has traditionally maintained that its engagement in public life is educational and moral in nature rather than political. However, the current progressive administration of Lee Jae-myung has appointed special prosecutors to examine allegations that senior members of the Family Federation sought to influence South Korea’s 2022 presidential election, raising questions about possible violations of political finance and lobbying regulations.

See also Alleged Bias: Investigating the Investigators

See also Mother Han Denies Charges, Declines to Testify

See also Mother Han Delivers 10-Minute Court Statement

See also Defense Challenges Core Claims of Indictment

See also Korean Media Allegations: Clarifying the Facts

Text: Knut Holdhus, editor

Featured image above: Mother Han 9^th January 2022. Screenshot from live transmission by PeacelinkTV

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