Firsthand Account of Ordeal of Mother Han (82)

A daughter-in-law’s account of detention of elderly religious leader in frail health: “Mother is exhausted and in distress”

See also In Detention: Mother Han’s Condition and Words

See also Arbitrary Detention of Mother Han, Pastor Son

See also Law as Weapon: Old Age and Frail Health Ignored

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

See also Co-Founder, 82, Questioned 9 Hours by Prosecutors

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

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

See also Critics Warn of “Authoritarian Drift” in SKorea

See also 70 Years On: Detention History Repeats Itself

See also Court Decision to Prolong Detention Condemned

Extracts from a message delivered by Yeon-a Moon at a prayer vigil in Gapyeong, South Korea 2^nd October. She had the day before visited her mother-in-law, Hak Ja Han, known as Holy Mother Han, at the Seoul Detention Center, where she has been held since 23^rd September while investigations are going on into alleged violations of political funding and anti-graft laws.

Many members and others have been worried about what appears to be an excessively harsh treatment by South Korean authorities of the octogenarian religious leader in frail health, just recovering from a heart procedure. As reported by the large Korean newspaper The Chosun Daily on 1^st October Mother Han herself stated,

“I have dedicated my life to working as a ‘Mother of Peace’ for world peace. How can this country treat me like this? It is devastating and frustrating.”

She said those words in a final 3-minute statement during court hearings on 1^st October where she sought the cancellation of her detention at a review hearing after being held for ten days. However, according to the Chosun Daily, the judges sided with four prosecutors claiming there is “a high risk of flight”.

So, when I shared Mother’s recent condition with you all on two different occasions, I didn’t mention the external circumstances.

I held back.

Even though this is a place where we can share our hearts openly with one another, I was afraid – afraid of how these words might be heard, how they might be distorted, how they might be interpreted. That’s why I held back my words.

But today, I felt that I could no longer just keep silent unconditionally.

Of course, you all must already have some sense of Mother’s situation and her environment. Even without me saying it, you’ve probably understood much of it. Still, there is a clear difference between knowing something indirectly and hearing it directly from someone who has seen her.

Today, […] after entering, we offered our greetings and bows, saying who was present.

At the very beginning, Mother said something,

“My body is not well. I feel so unwell and exhausted.”

In fact, you may have heard in the news that Mother was scheduled to undergo some examination today. But she even said that just going through with that would be too difficult for her.

When she said this, her expression clearly showed her struggle. Looking at her face, I noticed her lips – they were unusually pale and tinged with blue. There was a purplish hue, and it made me very worried.

You all know, right? That recently Mother has been to the hospital. Perhaps this is a lingering effect from that. Seeing her complexion made me think of many things, and it pained my heart deeply.

Even so, when Mother saw us and smiled warmly, you know that her smile wasn’t just for the five people there in the room. Mother always thinks of all the members around the world, all the “sons and daughters” of the worldwide Family Federation, who couldn’t be with her. That joy she shows is for all of you.

Still, despite her smile, her complexion looked strained, and for Mother – who normally withholds her words – to openly say she was suffering, it made me realize how serious it is. My heart ached.

There were some other details about her health that she shared, but I don’t need to go into specifics. I believe you can understand well enough how difficult it must be for her.

Translated from the original Korean, introduction by Knut Holdhus, editor.

See also Democratic Party’s Assault on Family Federation

See also Mother Han (82) in Poor Health in Damp, Cold Cell

See also Worrying Health Update for Detained Mother Han

See also Mother Han: “The Truth Will Surely Be Revealed”

See also SKorea: Growing Concerns Over Religious Freedom

See also In Detention: Mother Han’s Condition and Words

See also News Release Blasts Indictment of Hak Ja Han, 82

See also Arbitrary Detention of Mother Han, Pastor Son

See also Law as Weapon: Old Age and Frail Health Ignored

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

See also Co-Founder, 82, Questioned 9 Hours by Prosecutors

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

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

See also Critics Warn of “Authoritarian Drift” in SKorea

See also 70 Years On: Detention History Repeats Itself

See also Court Decision to Prolong Detention Condemned

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

See also Faith Leaders Protest State Assault on Religion

See also Detention: Harsh Cell Conditions Spark Outcry

See also Response to Recent SKorean Media Allegations

Featured image above: Yeon-a Moon delivering her message on 2nd October 2025 at a prayer vigil in Gapyeong, South Korea. Screenshot from live transmission by FFWPU

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