Katarina Connery

South Korea holds the world record for violating basic human rights and international law by imprisoning the world's oldest female political prisoner, Dr. Hak Ja Han. Imprisoned since September 23, 2025, she is set to start the New Year in inhumane conditions. Yet, she still prays for the greater good of this nation and the world. Where have democracy and decency gone in South Korea?

@ChanceSon1226 🙏🙏

- Your fight is our fight, Our fight is your fight.- I don’t usually ask for reposts, but this is different. PLEASE REPOST and have the word out. This is a petition for my father’s release and for basic fairness and justice. Please share this with your pastor, your church, your friends, and anyone who believes in freedom. Not just with words, but with action, I ask you to stand with your brother in Christ. Stand with us, brothers and sisters in Christ. Special thanks to @kimcbengard, Bondarenko family & Attorney Bob Tyler for putting this together.. 🙏🏽 faith-freedom.com/call-for-pasto…

@DemianDunkley This is just insane #ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace

BREAKING: New raids now being conducted by National Police. Multiple reports. The following is from Chosun: “Police conduct raids on more than 10 locations, including the Unification Church and Rep. Jeon Jae-soo’s office… Investigation moves into full swing By Lee Ki-woo Published: December 15, 2025, 09:10 Updated: December 15, 2025, 10:23 Police investigating allegations of political lobbying by the Unification Church launched compulsory investigative measures on the 15th. The Special Investigation Headquarters formed under the National Investigation Headquarters of the Korean National Police Agency announced that it began search and seizure operations that morning at 10 locations, including the Unification Church’s Cheon Jeong Gung in Gapyeong County, Gyeonggi Province, and the Unification Church’s Seoul headquarters. The targets of the raids include the homes of three suspects—former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Jeon Jae-soo, former Democratic Party lawmaker Lim Jong-seong, and former Future Integration Party lawmaker Kim Gyu-hwan—as well as Rep. Jeon Jae-soo’s National Assembly office, the detention center where Yoon Young-ho is being held, the detention center where President Han Hak-ja is being held, and the office of the special prosecutor investigating Kim Keon-hee. The allegations of unlawful money transfers involving the Unification Church surfaced after Yoon Young-ho, former head of the church’s World Headquarters, stated that he had delivered money and valuables to political figures between 2018 and 2020. During an interview with the Min Joong-gi special prosecutor team in August, Yoon stated that he had provided money not only to figures from the People Power Party but also to current and former lawmakers of the Democratic Party. Based on this testimony, the special prosecutor prepared an investigative report. The police’s special task force registered former Minister Jeon, former lawmaker Lim, and former lawmaker Kim—who were identified by Yoon as recipients of the funds—as criminal suspects and imposed travel bans on them. However, during his subsequent trial, Yoon reversed his earlier statements and is now denying the allegations that he provided money broadly across the political spectrum.” chosun.com/national/incid… #GodsDreamOneFamily #ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace

@monarchreport25 This is so wrong and clearly motivated by fear of the truth. I hope the US can support democracy and freedom of religion in our important ally. @POTUS @realDonaldTrump @SecRubio #ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace #ReligiousFreedom

🚨 BREAKING: South Korean Far-Left Pres. Lee Jae-myung urgently pressing legal director on Unification Church dissolution: "Did you look into the dissolution plan... regarding political involvement and illegal funding?" He grills on timelines, authority, and assets, demanding swift action under Civil Act Art. 38 for "severe illegal activities." Lee shows extreme urgency (rapid questions, interruptions, orders to "check again and report in detail") in dissolving the group just days after Dec. 5, 2025, trial revelations exposed his Democratic Party (DP) allegedly receiving tens of millions won from the church—including 70M won to DP figures (2018-2020), 2M to Kang Gi-jung, 3M to Lee Yong-seop, and 3M to Kim Young-rok in 2022—while DP spent months attacking the People Power Party (PPP) and church without equivalent scrutiny. DP-appointed special prosecutor Min Joong-ki dismissed these as "out of scope" on Dec. 8, transferring the case amid PPP accusations of bias and cover-up, while indicting church leaders for similar PPP funding. In August 2025, Lee told US President Donald Trump @realDonaldTrump that he has no association with the raids and purges of religious groups in Korea, sidestepping Trump's concerns over "vicious raids on churches" by the new government. When the government shows the nation that it can easily dissolve a religious group—mulling an order Dec. 2 amid ongoing trials without a complete verdict on charges like bribery and embezzlement—what other freedoms can it eradicate? Source: MBC News from Dec 9, 2025

@monarchreport25 We want to be able to trust one of our closest democratic allies, but is this really democracy? Seems like a personal agenda. America would never stand for attacking religious groups like this. @SecRubio @realDonaldTrump @POTUS

@monarchreport25 I read this yesterday and it didn't make sense to me. Took me a day to figure out, it's so absurd. Someone kills your spouse and you're supposed to apologize to the killer?? For what? Being alive? Being in the way of the bullet? That's terribly mixed up. #ReligiousFreedom

🚨 BREAKING: Journalist Suzuki Eito, who has been relentlessly criticizing the former Unification Church, appeared as a witness in the Yamagami trial. He stated in court that he was ‘surprised that Mrs. Akie Abe (wife of late PM Shinzo Abe) did not apologize to Yamagami (the assassin of PM Abe).’ Replies overwhelmingly condemn Suzuki's statement as insensitive and irrational, with over 21,000 likes and thousands of reposts amplifying calls for accountability, underscoring persistent societal divisions on church-political entanglements in Japan.

It's so clear. This is a politically motivated attack and is so far from the true justice that the prosecution claims it to be. The truth is coming out just as Mother Han said. #ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace

@monarchreport25 This is crazy!! Thank you for this clear analysis, this administration needs to wake up. #ReligiousFreedom #ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace

South Korea's Push to Dissolve Unification Church Echoes Communist Tactics in a Democratic Nation South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on December 2, 2025, directed the Ministry of Government Legislation to review the dissolution of religious foundations accused of political interference, implicitly targeting the Unification Church. Citing violations of church-state separation, Lee warned during a State Council meeting that such actions could undermine constitutional order and incite conflicts. This directive draws parallels to Japan's recent dissolution orders against similar groups, but it also raises alarms about authoritarian precedents in a democratic society. Historically, the systematic dissolution of religious organizations for political control has been a hallmark of communist regimes, where faith is often viewed as a threat to state ideology. Below is a list of key examples, illustrating how these actions were used to enforce atheism, suppress dissent, and consolidate power—tactics now surfacing in democratic South Korea, prompting questions about the erosion of freedoms: Soviet Union (1917–1991): Under Lenin and Stalin, decrees stripped churches of property and legal status, leading to mass executions of clergy (over 100,000 by 1938) and forced mergers, like the suppression of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in 1945, to eliminate ideological rivals. People's Republic of China (1949–Present): The CCP outlawed sects like Yiguandao in the 1950s and unleashed the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976), destroying temples and persecuting millions to align society with Maoist purity. Today, groups like Falun Gong remain banned as "heterodox" threats. Albania under Enver Hoxha (1944–1991): Declaring the first atheist state in 1967, the regime closed all religious sites, executed clergy, and banned practices to forge communist unity, lifting restrictions only in 1990. North Korea (1948–Present): The Kim regime eradicated Christianity post-1945, destroying churches and imprisoning believers to prioritize the Juche ideology and personality cult, with state-controlled facades for propaganda. Cambodia under Khmer Rouge (1975–1979): Pol Pot's forces dismantled Buddhism, killing monks and minorities in a genocidal purge to erase "old culture" and build an agrarian utopia. While these communist states justified suppression as ideological necessity, Lee's initiative in democratic South Korea—framed as protecting constitutional principles—highlights a troubling convergence. Critics argue it risks mirroring authoritarian control, potentially chilling religious expression in one of Asia's vibrant democracies. As the review proceeds, observers watch closely for safeguards against overreach. Source: n.news.naver.com/article/421/00…

@DemianDunkley Thank you for the update 🙏 we wish we could be there, so thank you for being there to support Mother Han through this #ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace

Morning hearing is over. Lawyers were basically just setting up the rules of the game for the whole trial, but the feeling in the courtroom was professional and calm. Judge seemed fair and impartial so far. I’ll be looking out for news soon later. We took the team out to lunch with members of mother’s family. Video is Pastor Burns showing the video of his first encounter with the Mother of Peace this August!

December 1. The Mother of Peace is on trial. We are in the court building now. I’m here with my wife Yumiko, Dr. Jenkin’s couple. DR. KHK, @pastormarkburns, @pastorlocke, and many supporters. TM, WJ and YYH are here. Judge and lawyers are going through their opening procedures. Now the prosecutor is reading out the indictments. They use a ppt with a large screen. The court rooms here are small. Only room for about 40 ppl inside. I believe we have already filled two overflow rooms with supporters. I believe what is most on everyone’s mind today is whether or not the judge will allow the Mother of Peace out on bail. #ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace #GodsDreamOneFamily #FaithFreedomPeace

@DemianDunkley That is our Holy Mother Han through and through. No pretense, just utmost sincerity. 😭😭 #ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace

Over lunch, Julia Moon was telling us what she’s hearing about mother‘s reputation inside the detention center. Apparently everyone that works there is commenting on how kind, humble, and gracious she is. Even though clearly she’s in a miserable situation she doesn’t complain. She’s always considerate and kind to others, asking questions about others, and thinking about others. She only gets 10 minutes per day to meet family/friends in a tiny box room with a glass divider. But she often reserves the last two minutes for whomever is there to sing a song. Julia noticed that whenever the guard hears the singing she stops taking notes and smiles. These are the types of experiences that set her apart from others when viewed by the people that work there. #ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace #FaithFreedomPeace #GodsDreamOneFamily

Very interesting comparison. While the US prosecution system certainly isn't perfect, we can see how the current situation in South Korea where the prosecution team is using justice as a weapon instead of seeking truth could stem from some of these red flags. ,#ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace #FreePastorSon #ReligiousFreedom

@ChanceSon1226 @monarchreport25 Korea needs reform. Its system is more like imperial Korea. This is now the time to help Korea! We love Korea.

The legal system in South Korea is completely BROKEN. President Yoon, the First Lady, Dr. Han, and my father, all are being persecuted and framed as villains for political reasons. The law has lost its ability to protect freedom and has instead become a means of punishment. No bail, endless delays, no presumption of innocence… justice is no longer blind, it’s weaponized. If preaching biblical values is now a crime, South Korea is not “free”, it is becoming what it once feared.

Slowly but surely the narrative is changing... Like Mother Han said the truth will be revealed. #ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace

@DemianDunkley @newtgingrich Whoa! 👏👏

ALERT: @newtgingrich just printed an op-ed in three major Korean Newspapers. When America’s former Speaker of the House has to remind Seoul that free nations don’t jail faith leaders, you know the crisis has gone too far. Printed in Chosun Ilbo, Kyunghyang Shinmun, and Hankook ilbo. Read article here: The Korea–U.S. Alliance Is a Values Alliance by Newt Gingrich The recent arrest of Unification Church President Dr. Hak Ja Han is more than a religious matter. It raises serious questions about democratic values, religious freedom, and civic space in a key ally of the United States. For decades in the U.S. Congress and public life, I have consistently emphasized that religious freedom, human rights, and democracy are essential to global stability. From that perspective, the judicial actions taken by the Korean government should not be regarded lightly. In free societies, religious leaders are not arrested for their religious activities or the way they run their church. To do so, would constitute a direct infringement of the core democratic principle of freedom of religion and conscience. Religious freedom specifically is a foundational pillar of democracy. This is precisely why the United States strictly upholds the separation of church and state and blocks state intervention in religious affairs. However, the Korean government’s actions appear to involve direct state intrusion into the legitimate activities of a religious leader. This should be a real red flag to American leaders. Dr. Han has led a faith community for many decades, and her work fundamentally belongs to the religious sphere. The moment the government attempts to intervene in that sphere, the principles of Korean democracy are shaken. This action has also drawn international criticism as an example of excessive use of state power. There is a clear course of action that Korean judicial authorities should take. They should withdraw the excessive detention measures against Dr. Han (who has not been convicted of any crimes) and immediately release her. This would reaffirm the principles of freedom that Korea’s democracy has long upheld. Korea and the United States are not merely allies. They are nations bound together through shared values of freedom. To preserve those values, Korea must not set a shameful precedent of violating religious freedom. I must also highlight the international concern regarding the politicization of Korea’s judicial system. One of the most dangerous signs in any democracy is “selective justice”— and the politicization of law enforcement. Finally, the contributions of the Unification Church must also be recognized. For decades, the church has engaged in public-interest work such as promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula, easing inter-Korean tensions, facilitating cultural exchange through international marriage, and conducting large-scale global volunteer initiatives. While controversies and criticism have existed, hastily labeling such an organization and its leader as a criminal group is a grave misjudgment. Dr. Han is 82 years old and has long been an international advocate for peace, family values, and interfaith dialogue. Detaining her raises obvious concerns about fairness, proportionality, and the public interest. The arrest of a religious leader in these circumstances risks provoking new social conflict, wasting national energy, and eroding of the spirit of tolerance that should define a democratic society. I strongly urge the Korean government and judiciary to reconsider their actions and to handle this matter in accordance with democratic standards. Pre-trial detention should be a last resort, especially for an elderly religious leader. Its humanitarian and societal consequences must be carefully weighed. The United States understands well the principles that a free society must protect. Korea, too, shares this philosophy. I hope that both nations reaffirm their common values and that this incident, rather than weakening Korean democracy, becomes an opportunity to strengthen it. The case of Dr. Han isn’t an isolated issue concerning one religious group. It is a test of democracy, religious freedom, and national dignity. I sincerely hope that Korea passes this test wisely, and I once again call upon the Korean government and President Lee Jae-myung to make the right decision. #ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace #FaithFreedomPeace #ReligiousFreedom

@DemianDunkley 😯😯 It so is encouraging to see influential leaders like Newt Gingrich stand in solidarity with Mother Han and Pastor Son. #ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace #FreePastorSon

@DemianDunkley Definitely praying for a positive outcome on Dec 1. Any sensible person can see that the treatment of her is uncalled for. #ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace

We have 10 days until December 1. Please take a moment to watch this short message. hsa.givingfuel.com/religious-free…

This article gives an excellent summary of what is currently happening in Japan and South Korea #ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace #ReligiousFreedom

@monarchreport25 I'm so inspired by this generation of young people speaking out for what they believe #ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace

🚨 BREAKING: Youth from the Unification Church (Family Federation for World Peace and Unification) holds peace rally in Seoul on November 16, 2025, speaking out against religious persecution, including the unjust detention of their leader, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, Holy Mother Han. Participants hold banners advocating for her release and broader religious freedom, amid ongoing church raids, media distortions, and claims of faith-based discrimination in South Korea.

@RealCalebMaupin Whoa! 👏👏 #ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace

Big Rally in NYC Times Square today calling for the freedom of Dr. Hak Ja Han! Many voices speaking up in support of an important religious leader currently locked away in South Korea. WATCH! #ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace

@ShinghiD @monarchreport25 So true! Mother Han has an incredible track record of bringing people together across religions. It is objectively astounding.

@monarchreport25 This is such a testament to Mother Han and a testament to the Family Federation for bringing all world's religions together, united in the path of peace.

“STOP THE UNJUST PERSECUTION: 50+ GLOBAL FAITH LEADERS IN SEOUL DEMAND IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF 82-YEAR-OLD DR HAK JA HAN” From Orthodox patriarchs to American gospel icons, Buddhist monks to Islamic scholars—united at Gwanghwamun, they declare her lifelong peace mission a sacred legacy and brand South Korea’s detention of the Unification Church founder a direct assault on religious freedom, human conscience, and global spiritual unity. n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/…