Mother Han Released 10 Days for Medical Reasons

Mother Han released from detention center for hospital treatment after falls and worsening glaucoma in custody as court cites health concerns

The South Korean news agency News1 reported 11^th February 2026 that a court in Seoul has temporarily released Hak Ja Han (한학자), the leader of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification – also known under its former name the Unification Church – so that she can receive medical treatment. This decision marks the second time in recent months that the court has suspended her detention due to health concerns.

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Han – by many called Mother Han – is a prominent religious figure in South Korea and abroad. She was taken into pretrial detention in September and later formally indicted in connection with allegations of improper ties between political figures and her religious organization. Prosecutors have described the case as involving suspected collusion between politics and religion, an issue that has drawn significant public attention in South Korea. While her trial is still ongoing, she has been held in Seoul Detention Center.

On 11^th February, the 27th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court approved Mother Han’s request for what is known in Korea as a “suspension of detention” (구속집행정지). Under South Korean law, this legal measure allows a defendant to be released temporarily from custody when there are urgent or humanitarian reasons to do so. Common grounds include serious illness, childbirth, or the need to attend a close family member’s funeral. Once granted, the suspension takes effect immediately.

News 1 writes that the court ruled that Hak Ja Han’s detention will be suspended from 10:00 a.m. on 12^th February until 2:00 p.m. on 21^st February. During this period, she will be released from the detention center and transferred to a hospital for treatment.

According to reports, Mother Han recently suffered three separate falls while in custody. As a result, she is said to be unable to move independently. In addition to injuries related to the falls, she is reportedly dealing with existing health conditions, including high blood pressure and glaucoma, a serious eye disorder that can lead to vision loss if not properly treated. These combined health issues formed the basis of her request for temporary release.

According to News1, Mother Han’s legal team emphasized that the application for suspension was not intended to delay or obstruct the judicial process. In a public statement, her lawyers said the purpose of the request was to ensure that she could receive the minimum necessary medical care to prevent her condition from worsening. They framed the move as a medical necessity rather than a legal strategy.

This is not the first time the court has granted Mother Han temporary release. After her initial detention in September, she filed a similar request, which the court approved on 4^th November under certain conditions. At that time, she was hospitalized and underwent surgery for glaucoma. However, when she later asked for the suspension period to be extended, the court rejected the request, and she was required to return to the detention center on 7^th November.

The latest decision reflects the court’s assessment that her current medical condition justifies another short-term suspension. Her trial is expected to continue after the suspension period ends.

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Text: Knut Holdhus, editor

Featured image above: Mother Han being escorted from wheelchair in front of courthouse. Illustration: Chat GPT, 11th February 2026.

Featured image above: Worries about Hak Ja Han‘s health condition. Illustration: Chat GPT, 5th February 2026. 

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