Medical Release Extended Anew for Mother Han (83)

Seoul court again extends Hak Ja Han’s medical release ahead of August verdict

The South Korean news agency News1 (뉴스1) reports in an article by reporter Jang Si-on (장시온) on 30^th July that a court has once again extended the suspension of detention for Hak Ja Han (한학자), the 83-year-old president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification – in Korea often referred to as Unificationism (통일교). The extension allows her to remain outside detention while receiving medical treatment. The decision comes just one month before the court is scheduled to deliver its verdict in her trial.

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Hak Ja Han – also called Mother Han – was taken into custody in September 2025, several weeks before being indicted on charges related to alleged political funding violations and other offenses. However, the court later concluded that her health justified a temporary suspension of detention, permitting her to leave the detention center for medical care. Under South Korean law, a suspension of detention is an exceptional measure available when a defendant faces serious circumstances such as severe illness. It does not end the legal proceedings, and the defendant is generally expected to return to custody once the suspension expires.

According to the latest decision by the Seoul Central District Court, Mother Han‘s temporary release, which had been due to end on 31^st July, has now been extended until 2^nd September. Her lawyers argued that she continues to suffer from significant medical problems, including recovery from surgery for a fractured shoulder as well as vision difficulties, making detention problematic. The court with Woo In-seong (우인성) as presiding judge accepted those arguments and granted another extension.

This is the seventh suspension of detention granted to Mother Han since late last year. The court first approved temporary releases in November 2025 (3 days), followed by additional suspensions in February (10 days) and March 2026 (34 days), each time citing concerns about her health. Since the end of April, the court has not issued entirely new suspensions but has instead extended the existing one on a monthly basis. The latest ruling represents the fourth consecutive extension since April.

The court has also maintained restrictions during Hak Ja Han’s release. She is permitted to stay only at the hospital where she receives treatment and is prohibited from directly or indirectly contacting anyone connected with the court case.

The repeated extensions have become a point of controversy during the trial. At the closing arguments earlier this month, the special prosecution team, led by Min Joong-gi (민중기), investigating allegations involving former First Lady Kim Keon-hee (김건희) questioned whether Mother Han had received unusually favorable treatment from the court. Prosecutors argued that it is exceedingly rare for an ordinary defendant to remain outside detention for such a prolonged period through repeated suspensions. Although they did not challenge the court’s authority to make the decision, they suggested that the lengthy series of extensions created the appearance of preferential treatment.

What the special prosecutors didn’t mention, is that it is also “exceedingly rare” to put an octogenarian in poor health through an arduous prolonged detention in a tiny cell.

Mother Han‘s legal team, by contrast, has consistently maintained that the requests are based solely on medical necessity. The court’s decisions have likewise cited her health condition rather than any legal or procedural considerations unrelated to her treatment.

According to the News1 report, the court case itself centers on several allegations dating back to 2022. Prosecutors accuse Hak Ja Han of conspiring with former Family Federation chief of staff Jeong Won-ju (정원주) to provide 100 million won (in 2022 ca. US$ 77,000) in political funds to former lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong (권성동). They also allege that 144 million won (in 2022 ca. US$ 111,000) from Family Federation-affiliated organizations was donated to lawmakers from the People Power Party during March and April of that year in violation of political funding laws.

In addition, prosecutors allege that Mother Han conspired with former Family Federation World Headquarters Director-General Yoon Yeong-ho (윤영호) to present luxury gifts worth approximately 80 million won (in 2022 ca. US$ 62,000), including a diamond necklace made by the British jeweler Graff, to former First Lady Kim Keon-hee (김건희) on two occasions in July 2022.

At the trial’s closing hearing on 10^th July, prosecutors requested a sentence of five years’ imprisonment for the alleged Political Funds Act violations and eight years’ imprisonment on the remaining charges, including embezzlement. Mother Han rejected the accusations, telling the court, “I do not seek power through money,” and denied any criminal wrongdoing.

The court is scheduled to announce its verdict on 31^st August. Regardless of the outcome, Mother Han‘s current suspension of detention is set to remain in effect until 2^nd September, meaning she is expected to remain outside detention while awaiting the court’s decision. Whether she ultimately returns to custody will depend on the verdict and any subsequent rulings by the court.

See also How Reliable Is the Prosecution’s Key Witness?

See also Former Aide Questioned in Police Leak Probe

See also Democratic Party Leadership Race ’26 Scrutinized

See also Prosecution’s Star Witness Challenged by Defense

See also Religious Freedom in S Korea: European Concern

See also Korea Warned at Crossroads on Religious Freedom

Text: Knut Holdhus, editor

Featured image above: Hak Ja Han, aka. Mother Han, here ca. 2016. Photo: FFWPU

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