Mother Han Briefly Released for Medical Reasons

Due to her rapidly worsening health condition, Hak Ja Han has been briefly released as South Korean court grants a temporary suspension – 3 days – of detention

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The South Korean daily Segye Ilbo reports on 4^th November that A South Korean court has granted a temporary suspension of detention for Hak Ja Han – also known as Mother Han – the President of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification – the global religious movement more formerly known as the Unification Church. The decision, handed down on 4^th November by the 27th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court under Judge Woo In-seong (우인성), effectively allows Mother Han to be released for a limited period while her formal arrest order remains legally valid.

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In South Korean law, a “stay of detention” does not overturn an arrest but pauses its enforcement. This measure is generally reserved for cases in which a detainee’s health condition or humanitarian circumstances make continued confinement inappropriate. Mother Han’s lawyers filed such a petition on 1^st November, arguing that the 82-year-old religious leader required urgent medical care. The court accepted the request, ordering her temporary release until 7^th November.

Mother Han’s legal situation has drawn significant public attention both within South Korea and abroad. Often referred to as “True Mother” by followers, she has led the Family Federation since the death of its co-founder – and her late husband – Reverend Sun Myung Moon, in 2012. Under her leadership, the movement has maintained a large international network.

According to the Segye Ilbo, the current criminal case involves allegations that she and senior Federation officials made illegal political donations to conservative lawmakers ahead of South Korea’s 2022 presidential election.

Mother Han’s defense team maintains her innocence, stating that she has been unfairly targeted, and that her health has deteriorated due to prolonged detention. She previously failed to appear for questioning by a special prosecutor investigating former First Lady Kim Keon-hee (김건희), citing the need for heart surgery.

The court’s ruling marks a brief reprieve for Mother Han but does not signal the end of her legal troubles. Once the temporary stay expires, she could be required to return to custody unless the court grants an extension or modifies her detention status further.

Dr. Michael Balcomb, President of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification in Europe and the Middle East, writes in a statement to members 4^th November,

“You will have seen the welcome and breaking news that a Korean Court has ordered the temporary release of True Mother from her cell in the Seoul Detention Center, effective from 1000CET today.

However, according to news reports and confirmation from the World Mission Department, this is likely to be just a 3-day release for urgent medical treatment and, unless there is further court intervention, it will expire 1000CET Friday and True Mother would have to return.

Furthermore, it seems that the hospital where she will receive treatment – one report mentions ophthalmology [the branch of medicine that specializes in the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of the eyes and visual system] – is located within the detention center campus.

Still, we are grateful that True Mother will at last receive proper medical attention. Let us pray for further positive developments.”

Text: Knut Holdhus, editor

Featured image above: Artistic impression of Mother Han in detention cell. Illustration: Grok xAI, 4th November 2025.

See also Former First Lady and Mother Han (82) in New Case

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