Mike Pompeo Calls Probe of Co-Founder “Lawfare”

Mike Pompeo warns South Korea of religious freedom risks in current probe he calls “lawfare” against Dr. Hak Ja Han and the Family Federation

See also Communist Strategy Against Religion and Family

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The South Korean daily Segye Ilbo published on 5^th September an article which when translated into English carried the headline “Pompeo: ‘Investigation into President Hak Ja Han Raises Concerns of Religious Freedom Violation’”

The report highlights a striking intersection between international diplomacy, South Korean legal processes, and questions of religious freedom. Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed on his X account (formerly Twitter) strong concerns regarding the South Korean special prosecutor’s decision to summon Dr. Hak Ja Han, co-founder and president of the Family Federation, as part of an ongoing investigation.

According to the Segye Ilbo, Pompeo wrote,

• “The lawfare being directed at religious leader Dr. Hak Ja Han in South Korea is deeply troubling.”
• “The intensifying assaults on religious liberty are a betrayal of the democratic principles that South Korea is meant to espouse.”

Pompeo’s intervention – framed around the universal principle of protecting religious liberty – underscores the global dimension of the case and raises important questions about how democratic societies balance judicial integrity with the safeguarding of fundamental rights.

The immediate issue is the special prosecutor’s request for Dr. Han (82) to appear for questioning in connection with the so-called “Geonjin Monk-Family Federation lobbying scandal”. Allegations center on the claim that gifts, including luxury items, were delivered to former First Lady Kim Kun-hee (김건희) by an intermediary connected to the Family Federation. While prosecutors suggest possible institutional involvement, the Federation firmly denies any directive role, stressing that the incident represents an individual’s misconduct rather than an organized scheme. In its 31^st August statement, the religious organization asserted that it never sanctioned illegal lobbying or financial transactions. Dr. Han herself, recovering from a medical procedure, has yet to confirm whether she will comply with the summons.

In a briefing to members on 5^th September, Kim Dong-yeon (김동연), Vice President of the Family Federation in South Korea, explained,

“Given her advanced age and the strain of her recent schedule, it is necessary for her to have rest and recovery following the procedure.”

Kim also stated,

“The special prosecutor’s briefing stated that the September 8 summons will proceed as scheduled. The priority is True Mother’s recovery, and her attendance may be adjusted based on medical advice and legal procedures. The prosecutor’s office may also review medical records or consider enforcement measures.

Given these serious circumstances, there is concern that True Mother may not be guaranteed the absolute rest and care she needs. Our collective priority must remain her health and wellbeing.

We respectfully request that the special prosecutor’s office postpone the summons until after True Mother has recovered from her cardiac procedure, and that the investigation be conducted via written responses or a voluntary visit, rather than through coercive measures.”

Pompeo’s remarks deserve particular attention. As America’s top diplomat under Donald Trump, he was a vocal advocate of religious freedom worldwide, often linking it to democratic resilience and human dignity. His concern that South Korea’s treatment of Dr. Han may constitute an “attack on religious freedom” situates the case in a broader international conversation. It is not merely a domestic legal matter but one with potential implications for South Korea’s reputation as a democratic state committed to universal rights.

Pompeo’s history of engagement with the Universal Peace Federation (an affiliated body of the Family Federation) further contextualizes his stance: while critics may interpret his remarks as partisan or personal, supporters see them as consistent with his long-standing defense of religious liberties.

Supportive responses to Pompeo’s statement, reflected in comments such as “Religious oppression must be stopped,” suggest that this case resonates beyond Korea’s borders. Many observers fear that conflating allegations of political corruption with a wholesale targeting of a religious leader risks undermining the credibility of South Korea’s democratic system. If the legal process is perceived as selectively punitive toward a religious institution, it may erode both domestic trust and international confidence in the country’s rule of law.

At the heart of this controversy lies a delicate balance. On one hand, democratic governance requires robust mechanisms to investigate corruption and hold all citizens, including religious leaders, accountable under the law. On the other, democracy is equally rooted in the protection of religious freedom, ensuring that faith communities are not unduly criminalized or stigmatized. Pompeo’s intervention reminds policymakers and prosecutors alike that safeguarding democratic legitimacy depends on honoring both principles simultaneously.

Ultimately, the Segye Ilbo article captures a moment of tension where international voices, domestic politics, and deeply held values collide. Dr. Han’s case will not only shape the immediate future of the Family Federation but will also test South Korea’s ability to demonstrate that its pursuit of justice can coexist with its commitment to religious freedom.

See also Communist Strategy Against Religion and Family

See also Critics Warn of “Authoritarian Drift” in SKorea

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

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 Korean Crisis: “True Democracy Must Serve Heaven”

Text: Knut Holdhus, editor

Featured image above: Mike Pompeo addressing an international peace conference in Gapyeong, South Korea 13th February 2022. Screenshot from live transmission by PeaceTV.

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