FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — September 24, 2025. — Dr. Hak Ja Han, an 83-year-old faith leader revered worldwide as the Mother of Peace, has been jailed in South Korea. Her sudden arrest has sent shockwaves across continents, raising alarm among international religious freedom advocates, humanitarian organizations, women’s leadership groups, and political observers who have long recognized her as one of the foremost champions of peace and reconciliation in the modern era.
“Dr. Han has spent her life advancing peace, reconciliation, and service to humanity. To see her placed in a cell at this stage of her life has shocked communities worldwide,” said Dr. Demian Dunkley, President of Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (USA). “This is not law. This is persecution. If it can happen to the Mother of Peace, it can happen to anyone.”
A Global Icon at Risk
Dr. Han’s arrest has drawn attention not only because of her age and fragile health but also because of her decades-long contributions to humanitarian causes, women’s leadership, and international diplomacy. For over fifty years, she has carried Korea’s name with dignity into parliaments, royal courts, and humanitarian forums. She has stood at podiums in the U.S. Capitol, the United Nations, and world assemblies where she consistently advocated for harmony across faiths, cultures, and nations.
Her global initiatives include large-scale relief efforts to feed the hungry, educational programs for underserved communities, and peace-building projects aimed at bridging divides on the Korean Peninsula and beyond. Many world leaders and scholars credit her as a rare figure who seamlessly blended moral vision with practical action.
Supporters Call It a Witch Hunt
Supporters argue that the charges brought against Dr. Han are not only unfounded but politically motivated. They point to the source of the accusations—individuals long separated from her movement and with histories of animosity toward her faith community.
“This is a witch hunt. There is no credible evidence, no crime—only political convenience,” said Dr. Dunkley. “The world must understand: this is not about justice. This is about silencing a voice of peace that has grown too influential for some to tolerate.”
Widespread Condemnation
Human rights organizations and religious freedom advocates have condemned the arrest, noting that it sets a dangerous precedent for minority faith groups and spiritual leaders worldwide. Advocates stress that targeting such a well-known global figure signals a broader erosion of basic human rights in South Korea, once celebrated as a beacon of democracy and freedom in Asia.
Faith leaders from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist traditions have begun issuing statements of solidarity, underscoring the universal principle at stake: that no person, especially an elderly woman who has dedicated her life to peace, should be subject to imprisonment under disputed and politically charged claims.
Women’s organizations, too, have highlighted the symbolism of the arrest. “When an elderly grandmother, a global leader for women’s empowerment, is shackled and silenced, it is not only her dignity that is stripped—it is a blow against women everywhere who struggle to lead and to heal communities,” said one coalition of women leaders.
Calls for Immediate Release
The growing chorus of voices is urging South Korean authorities to release Dr. Han immediately and to uphold the values of human rights and religious freedom enshrined in international law. They warn that failure to do so will tarnish South Korea’s reputation on the global stage and weaken its standing as a democracy committed to justice.
“This is a pivotal moment,” said Dr. Dunkley. “The eyes of the world are on Seoul. This is not only about one woman—it is about whether we will defend the right of conscience, the right of faith, and the dignity of humanity.”
About Dr. Hak Ja Han
Known internationally as the Mother of Peace, Dr. Hak Ja Han has dedicated more than five decades to humanitarian service, interfaith dialogue, women’s leadership, and peace-building. She has spoken before the United Nations, the U.S. Congress, and leaders across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Her initiatives have brought food to the hungry, hope to refugees, and education to countless children. Her message has always been one of reconciliation, family values, and global unity.
First published by 360WiSE
Author Bio
Dr. Demian Dunkley is President of Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (USA) and an international advocate for religious freedom and human rights. He has led interfaith initiatives and humanitarian projects across multiple continents and is a vocal defender of conscience, liberty, and the dignity of faith communities worldwide.