Mother Han Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize 2026

Global peace initiatives highlighted as Hak Ja Han is nominated to Nobel Peace Prize by former EU Special Envoy Jan Figel

A 30^th March 2026 article published by Segye Ilbo reports that Hak Ja Han (한학자), president of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, has been put forward as a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize. The nomination was submitted by Ján Figeľ, a former European Union Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, who cited her long-standing contributions to interreligious dialogue, global peacebuilding, and the promotion of family-centered social values.

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According to the report, Figeľ’s recommendation emphasizes the decades-long leadership of Hak Ja Han – also called Mother Han – in initiatives aimed at reducing religious conflict and fostering cooperation across cultural and national boundaries. Following the death of her husband, Sun Myung Moon (문선명) in 2012, she expanded a network of affiliated organizations – including the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) – to advance what is described as a global vision of peace rooted in shared moral principles. These organizations have engaged in a range of activities, from appointing “Ambassadors for Peace” in numerous countries to organizing international summits and large-scale public events such as the “Rally of Hope”, all framed around dialogue and reconciliation.

The article further highlights specific initiatives associated with Mother Han’s leadership. Among them are efforts to support peaceful reunification on the Korean Peninsula, including proposals for an international peace park in the Demilitarized Zone along the 38th parallel. Figeľ’s nomination frames such projects as aligning with the ideals expressed in Alfred Nobel’s will, particularly the ambition of reducing militarization and fostering fraternity among nations. In addition, cultural diplomacy – such as international performances by the Little Angels children’s dance troupe – is presented as part of a broader strategy to promote mutual understanding through the arts. The establishment of the Sunhak Peace Prize is also cited as evidence of institutional efforts to recognize and incentivize global peace work.

To contextualize this nomination, it is useful to understand how the Nobel Peace Prize process operates. Unlike many awards, nominations are not open to the general public. Eligible nominators include members of national parliaments and governments, certain university professors (typically in fields such as history, social sciences, law, or theology), previous Nobel laureates, and members of international courts. Qualified individuals may submit nominations to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, the body responsible for selecting the Peace Prize laureate. Self-nominations are not permitted, and the full list of nominees remains confidential for 50 years.

The pool of eligible nominees is broad. The prize may be awarded to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to peace-related efforts, including conflict resolution, human rights advocacy, disarmament, or the promotion of international cooperation. Over time, recipients have ranged from political leaders and activists to humanitarian organizations and multilateral institutions, reflecting the wide interpretation of “peace work” embedded in Nobel’s original criteria.

The selection process itself is conducted by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, a five-member panel appointed by the Norwegian parliament. After reviewing hundreds of nominations each year, the committee creates a shortlist and undertakes detailed evaluations, often consulting external experts. Deliberations are confidential, and the final decision is typically announced in October. The committee is not bound to disclose its reasoning in full, though it provides a brief justification when the laureate is announced.

In this context, the nomination of Hak Ja Han reflects both the openness of the nomination system – where qualified individuals can propose candidates from a wide range of backgrounds – and the highly selective, deliberative nature of the final decision-making process. Whether or not a nomination ultimately leads to an award, it signals recognition within certain international circles of the nominee’s perceived contributions to peace and global cooperation.

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Text: Knut Holdhus, editor

Featured image above: Hak Ja Han, Mother Han 14th August 2022 in Gapyeong, South Korea. Photo: Graeme Carmichael

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