Joshua Holmes

South Korea's "Church-State Collusion" task force just raided the Family Federation again.This time, the charge is embezzlement. Here's what you need to know.The Joint Prosecution-Police Investigation Unit (합수본), created in January 2026 specifically to probe alleged collusion between the Unification Church/Family Federation and politicians, executed search warrants at roughly 10 locations this morning, including the Cheon Jeong Gung headquarters in Gapyeong, the Seoul office, and the HJ Global Unity Foundation. The warrants name Family Federation leader Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon and other church officials as suspects under the Aggravated Punishment for Specific Economic Crimes Act for embezzlement. This is the first time the task force has launched a compulsory investigation on embezzlement charges. Previous raids in January targeted alleged "split donations" to politicians. Here's what's worth paying attention to.The task force spent four months investigating alleged political bribery involving lawmakers from both major parties. Last month, it cleared every single lawmaker. All charges dropped. Insufficient evidence. Statute of limitations expired. The only indictments were four legislative aides charged with destroying evidence. Dr. Han was also cleared of bribery-giving charges in that same decision. Now, instead of winding down, the task force is expanding its scope into the church's internal finances, claiming it discovered evidence of systematic embezzlement during the lobbying probe. This raises a basic question: Was the unit created to investigate political corruption, or to investigate a religious organization? Meanwhile, Dr. Han, age 83, has been detained since September 2025. She was indicted in October by a separate special counsel on charges that already included embezzlement. The court has granted her temporary medical release four times due to deteriorating health. She is currently hospitalized under court-ordered conditions until May 30. She now faces embezzlement investigations from two separate prosecutorial bodies simultaneously. This is happening 28 days before South Korea's June 3 local elections. Source: news.kbs.co.kr/news/pc/view/v…

TRULY I TESTIFY: God is unveiling a new spirit through the unity between Japan and America. God is not simply rebuilding what is broken, but building something new! We love you Japanese members of FFWPU. We are with you! #StandWithJapan #GodsDreamOneFamily #HelpOurChurch

アメリカ🇺🇸から100名を超える仲間が、日本の力になりたいということで、駆けつけてくれました！ 渋谷のど真ん中で、「信教の自由」を一緒に叫んでくれました！ 自分たちは一人じゃない。信教の自由を守るために共に声を上げてくれる仲間がいることを感じれてとても勇気をもらいました😭

@NABISUB_PJ @FamilyFedUsa 🦋 It was an honor to join N.A.B.I. for their rally in Shibuya. We continue to pray. From America, we say a deep “Thank You” to Japan church members for all your devotion 🙇 I know one day Japan will recognize you as the saints that you are.

明日、とんでもない1日になりそうです。 アメリカからキリスト教牧師をはじめ、 100人規模で来日。 二世の会 × 信教二世遊説隊NABI 特別イベント開催。 自分はNABIに密着取材します🎥 普段見れない裏側や、 若者たちの空気感まで全部追います。 #信教の自由　#家庭連合　#旧統一教会

Currently in Japan 🇯🇵 with 100 North American family. American and Japanese representatives for Religious Freedom will be speaking on a panel; starts a little after 10:30 AM Japan Time, so in a few minutes: English: youtube.com/live/Fh_VTKDLs… Japanese: youtube.com/live/YgmIoCEpP…

すでに集まっています🇺🇸 配信はこの後10:30〜です！ ※開始時間が遅れる可能性があります。 ↓↓↓ youtube.com/live/YgmIoCEpP…

If you know who you are… do you know why you’re here? What if your purpose isn’t to figure life out, but simply to grow into what God already made you to be? youtu.be/lLXaFZkAn68?si… #GodsDreamOneFamily #HigherGroundTour2026

SHARE: Massimo lays it out in this article, about why Dr. Han deserves th Nobel Peace Prize since being nominated by Jan Figel. Take a minute, read it and pass it on. washingtontimes.com/news/2026/apr/… #NobelForMotherOfPeace

BREAKING: Korean Pastors Rally Against Dissolution Bill. Condensed translation: Approximately 7,000 Protestant pastors and believers gathered in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, to oppose the proposed Religious Corporation Dissolution Law, calling for its withdrawal over concerns it could infringe on religious freedom and property rights. Participants held placards and chanted slogans opposing forced dissolution of religious groups, arguing the bill could enable state overreach and apply broadly to all religious organizations, not just specific groups. Lawmakers, including Representative Cho Bae-sook, attended in support. She stated: “Laws must not violate the Constitution and must align with universal values. This bill has a high potential to infringe on religious freedom and property rights.” Religious leaders warned that the law could expand beyond religion into wider societal control. Kim Woon-sung said: “This amendment may appear like a small seed now, but it could become a dangerous starting point that eventually covers all of society. Issues related to so-called heretical groups like Shincheonji or the Unification Church are spiritual matters that the church itself should handle—they are not matters for state power to resolve through law.” He added: “A law must have not only legality but also legitimacy. A law lacking legitimacy can lead to another historical tragedy.” Lee Tae-hee warned: “State control over religion gradually intensifies and eventually extends to controlling the content of faith itself. In China, it began with institutional management but developed into a system that restricts doctrine and sermons.” He added: “This Religious Corporation Dissolution Law could become the starting point of such control.” Speakers cited international examples, noting that religious regulation in countries such as Germany, China, and Russia has been used for political control, causing harm. Son Hyun-bo stated: “The principle of separation of church and state means the state should not interfere in religion, yet this law reverses that principle.” He warned: “If this law is passed, it could lead to an abuse of state power—dissolving churches and confiscating their assets.” He emphasized: “Religious freedom is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution.” Speakers also referenced the historical role of religious leaders in the March 1st Independence Movement, framing opposition to the bill as a national responsibility. In a closing statement, Pastor Choi Kang-hee described the bill as: “An unconstitutional piece of legislation that infringes on the religious freedom guaranteed by the Constitution.” Key concerns included warrantless investigations, asset confiscation upon dissolution, and vague standards for determining political involvement. The statement concluded: “Although this bill is presented as a measure to prevent groups like the Unification Church and Shincheonji, it is in fact a comprehensive regulation that could apply to all religious organizations. It represents an attempt to turn religion into an object of administrative control.” It warned: “If the bill is not withdrawn, opposition movements led by Korean churches will spread like wildfire. Other religious communities, including Catholicism and Buddhism, as well as civil society, must also join in solidarity.” Organizers stated they will continue rallies and coordinated action until the bill is withdrawn. m.news.nate.com/view/20260401n…

I want to hear your thoughts: What is the essence of Jesus? Why does Jesus say he needs to return again?

THANK YOU! To all who supporting the Help! Our Church campaign. That is continue to show us support and solidarity for our family and friends in Japan and beyond. Silence is not peace, it is surrender. It’s time to stand up for one another. Visit help.familyfed.org to stay up to date. More to come. #FaithFreedomPeace #GodsDreamOneFamily

OPEN LETTER TO JAPAN: A Personal Plea to Japan’s Prime Minister By Demian Dunkley President, Family Federation for World Peace and Unification USA Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, I write to you as a faith leader who is deeply connected to Japan. The recent decision to uphold the dissolution order of the Family Federation has been so painful to our global faith family. For many, this may appear to be a policy matter. For us, it is deeply personal. It affects real families, real communities, and people who have spent their lives trying to live for the sake of others. For decades, Japanese members of our movement have quietly served around the world—with humility, discipline, and deep love. They have contributed to peacebuilding, humanitarian work, and the strengthening of families across cultures. Prime Minister, these Japanese men and women have helped Japan shine globally. I have worked alongside them. I have seen their sincerity. These are not people who weaken society—they are people who strive to uplift it. Today, our church is asking for help. Not for privilege, but for fairness. Not for exemption, but for understanding. At stake is something fundamental: the freedom to believe and to practice one’s faith without fear of being dismantled. In recent years, religious organizations around the world have increasingly faced dissolution. This moment extends beyond our own community and raises broader questions about how religious freedom is protected. For many of our members, the impact has already been deeply felt. Decades of personal sacrifice and care were suddenly swept away when hundreds of churches and offices were closed in a single day. Japan has long been respected as a nation that upholds dignity, stability, and human rights. The world is watching. The decisions made now will shape not only Japan’s future, but its moral leadership on the global stage. I ask you to consider the human side of this decision—the parents, the children, the grandparents. Families like mine. Families like those across Japan. Respectfully,  Rev. Demian Dunkley Help.familyfed.org #helpourchurch #faithfreedompeace

OFFICIAL - IT'S TIME TO STAND. We are living through a serious and historic moment for our worldwide family of faith. In Japan, the government has moved to dissolve the Family Federation. As a result, all of our churches and offices across the country have been shut down. Members have been asked to leave the sanctuaries where they prayed, gathered, and raised their children in faith. In a matter of minutes, communities that had existed for decades were forced to close their doors. For our brothers and sisters in Japan, this moment has brought deep sorrow and uncertainty. But they are not alone. For decades, Japanese members have served the world quietly and sacrificially. They have traveled to distant nations, supported missions, raised families, and invested their lives for the sake of God’s dream and the sake of humanity. We have all been strengthened by their devotion and example. Now they are facing hardship, and the global family stands with them. Until now we have handled this situation with patience and respect. But there comes a point when silence no longer serves justice. When the rights of people of faith are stripped away and entire communities are shut down overnight, it becomes necessary to stand up and say clearly: this is not right. On Thursday, March 19, we will gather at the Japanese Embassy in Washington, DC for a peaceful appeal for religious freedom. At a time when Prime Minister Takaichi will be visiting Washington, we will respectfully raise our voices and ask that the rights and dignity of people of faith be protected. This gathering is not about anger or confrontation. It is about standing with our family and reminding the world that religious freedom matters. Our members in Japan cannot gather publicly in the same way we can today. But here in America, we are free to stand, and we will do so with dignity and conviction. We expect members, friends, clergy, and supporters of religious freedom from across our community to be present. 500 participants will gather at the embassy so that this appeal is seen clearly and respectfully. Details for the gathering and registration can be found at help.familyfed.org. Once registered, you will receive updates with the final schedule and instructions. We also encourage you to invite friends, neighbors, and clergy who care about the protection of religious freedom. The principles at stake go far beyond one community. They concern the fundamental right of every person to practice their faith freely. Let us stand together to HELP our brothers and sisters in Japan. Our buildings may be closed, but the faith that built them remains alive. And when a family stands together with clarity and conviction, the world takes notice. We look forward to standing together on March 19. #FaithFreedomPeace #OneFamilyUnderGod #ReligiousFreedom help.familyfed.org

沖縄におられる家庭連合の皆さんへ。 ちょっと遠いですが、集会所が無ければ良かったらウチの教会の礼拝堂をお貸しします。もちろん無料です。まぁちょっと遠いですけどね😅どうか元気を出してください。神さまはあなたを愛しています。ハレルヤ。

From here we will continue to work with our colleagues to support the Japanese family. Please continue to pray for them. There are still other possibilities to improve the situation and the Japanese community is so strong!

WHY SEND DR. HAN BACK TO A CEMENT CELL? She does not spend nine days in hospitals under normal conditions. The court granted medical reprieve because detention damaged her health. Sending her back now is not neutral. It is a conscious decision to return her to the very conditions that required hospitalization. You cannot claim concern for her wellbeing while reinstating the cause of her decline! #ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace

@BitterWinterMag The big issue for me has never been about the investigation itself. It’s the MANNER its being done, and the MISTREATMENT of people like Hak Ja Han Moon. #ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace

I ask for your prayers for the team from LA going to Korea this week to continue the effort to garner more Christian support for religious freedom, for the unjustly detained Mother of Peace, and for the greater dream of keeping Korea a holy land where God can dwell. This will mark our church's 3rd trip in 4 months. We keep going 💪 #HigherGround #ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace #ReligiousFreedom #FreeKorea