Stranger Things

March 3: UC Faces Uphill Task in Japan to Fight Court's Liquidation Ruling (The South China Morning Post)

QuoteThe court recognised financial harm to 1,559 people and losses totalling more than 20 billion yen (US$127.3 million). "Even if the group does appeal – and we must remember that any grounds for an appeal are very limited – that will not stop the liquidation process from beginning," said Takashi Yamaguchi, a member of the National Network of Lawyers Against Spiritual Sales who is also on the board of the Japan Society for Cult Prevention and Recovery.

March 4: Japan Court Rebuffs Appeal, Orders Dissolution of Former UC (The Washinton Times - Owned by the UC)

QuoteSome 1,559 persons, backed by a group of activist lawyers and with widespread media support, claim damages against the Family Federation. They argue that worshippers were coerced into making major donations of some 20.4 billion yen, or $130 million, over 40 years and were victimized by so-called "spiritual sales" – i.e. pressured to purchase pricey talismans.

This is more balanced featuring a quotes from the UC lawyer and a victim:

March 4: Tokyo High Court Finalizes UC Dissolution (The Chosun Daily)

QuoteA woman in her 70s, whose late mother, a follower of the religious group, donated over 100 million Japanese yen (approximately 900 million Korean won) by liquidating financial assets and selling land, told reporters on the day, "I felt relieved upon hearing the decision. The dissolution is only natural." ...

Fukumoto Nobuya, 62 years old, the senior attorney who defended the case, expressed his intention to file a special appeal with the Supreme Court immediately after the decision, stating outside the court, "I cannot believe it."

March 4: Tokyo Court to Decide Whether to Order Ex-UC to Disband (NHK News)

QuoteIf the order is issued, procedures will be put in motion to dispose of its assets and compensate people who suffered financial damage from the group.

March 4: Tokyo High Court Upholds Dissolution Order for UC, Liquidation Procedures to Begin (Nippon News)


March 4: Japanese Court Upholds Order to Dissolve UC (BBC News)

March 4: Tokyo High Court Upholds UC Dissolution Order (The Japan News)

March 4: UC  Ordered to Dissolve by Tokyo High Court (The Japan Times)

QuoteThe lower court found that the Unification Church "caused unprecedentedly large damage over a long span of roughly 40 years." It said that 1,559 people fell prey to the Unification Church's unlawful solicitation of donations, with the total amount taken reaching about ¥20.4 billion.

In the appeal, the Unification Church argued that the lower court's finding that the group continued unlawful activities even after issuing a declaration on boosting legal compliance in 2009 was not backed by evidence. It also claimed that dissolution was unnecessary because it had agreed to collective mediation with donation victims.

March 5: Full-scale Rrelief for Victims Needed After Order to Dissolve UC (The Mainichi)

March 4: Tokyo Court to Decide Whether to Order Ex-UC to Disband (NHK News)

QuoteIf the order is issued, procedures will be put in motion to dispose of its assets and compensate people who suffered financial damage from the group.

Also from the Patricia Duval's piece:

QuoteTwenty liquidators arrived at the church headquarters in Shibuya, Tokyo, and closed it down. Employees were no longer allowed to enter the church and were ordered to stay at home.

I didn't believe the "ordered to stay at home" part, and a member with family and friends in Japan in the UC thought it just meant "employees were told to go home".  But it does seem that some employees were ordered to stay home incase liquidators had any questions. Perhaps that just happened to some more senior members. That is mentioned in this Asahi Shimbun here as well as below after the quote from Teddy Hose on March 10.

February 2026

Feb. 2: Takaichi Skipping of TV Debate Sparks Dissatisfaction from Japanese Politicians, Netizens: Is She Avoiding Key Questions Including UC Scandal (Global Times)

Feb. 4: Abe Shooter Appeals Life Sentence, Citing Injustice (The Chosun Daily)

Feb. 4: Tokyo Court to Rule on UC Dissolution Order on March 4 (The Japan Times)

Feb. 4: Yamagami Sentencing Reveals Japan's Troubled Response to Religious Cult (Nippon)

Feb. 5: Abe Assassin Hints Brother's Suicide Was Watershed Event (The Asahi Shimbun)

Feb. 5: No Comment on Report That PM Takaichi Sent Letter to UC: Japan Gov't (The Mainichi)

Feb. 6: Japan PM Takaichi's Claims on Accuracy, Source of UC Docs 'Misleading' (The Mainichi)

Feb. 18: Time for Takaichi to Tackle Japan's Political Taboos (The Japan Times)

Feb. 25: Former UC Says It's Compensating Claimants as Court Ruling Nears (NHK News)

Reclaiming 'Cult': The Transformative Effect of Ex-Member Memoirs on the Study of New Religions (Carole M. Cusack - University of Sydney)

Presented at the Australian Association for the Study of Religion Annual Conference, 2023

QuoteFrom 2010 there has been a shift in the perception of the term. Some older scholars still maintain
that there are no true 'cults', just religions that are delegitimised and found wanting compared to the established World Religions, while younger scholars (notably Aled Thomas and Edward Graham-Hyde) argue that the plethora of memoirs by ex-members of NRMs mean scholars must
listen to ex-members, and (via #MeToo) understand them as victims and trauma survivors....

Ex-members are a vital source of valuable information about life in NRMs and religious groups.
Journalists are plugged into current social concerns and are allies of whistleblowers and victims seeking redress against abusers in NRMs or religious groups.

Cultbusters (Rick Ross, Steven Hassan, et al) are archivists of materials from new religions and are thus helpful for scholars. Like journalists they are often actively supportive of and helpful to victims (for
example, Rick Ross helped Toni Natale from NXIVM financially as well
as emotionally for years).

NRM scholars, sadly, do not aid victims and often dismiss their claims.

That last sentence, when applied to the more extreme apologists is quite an understatement.

For more about Dr. Cusak, here is a 2014 interview with her.

January 2026

Jan. 1: The Trial of Abe's Assassin Is a Test of Takaichi's Appetite for Political Reform (The Diplomat)

Jan. 2: UC Reportedly Backed 290 LDP Lawmakers in 2021 Poll (The Japan Times)

Jan. 21: Shinzo Abe's Killer Sentenced to Life in Prison Over Shooting of Japanese Former PM (The Guardian)

Jan. 22: Abe Shooter's Ill-Fated Background Denied as Key Factor (Nippon)

Jan. 22: Editorial - Japan Must Learn From UC Damage After Abe Assassination Ruling (The Mainichi)

Jan. 25: Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe's Killer Motivated by 'Disgust' at Links to UC (ABC)

Jan. 26: How Shinzo Abe's Assassination Brought The Moonies Back Into The Limelight (The New Yorker -Internet Archive)

Oach, that is a bad pun:

QuotePublished in the print edition of the February 2, 2026, issue, with the headline "Moon Shot."

Jan. 27: Japan Ex-PM Abe Mentioned 500 Times in UC Document (The Mainichi)

Jan. 27: Report Indicates Noda's Past Ties to UC Affiliate (The Asahi Shimbun)

Jan. 30: Takaichi Reportedly Hid UC's Fundraiser Ticket Purchases (The Japan Times)

Empty post so I can split some posts as I find and post more

June 23: Sewol Survivor Dies After Years of Survivor's Guilt (The Korea Herald)

Sept. 2: Lee Man-hee Denies Intent in 7.5 billion won Tax Evasion Trial in South Korea (Chosun Biz)

Sept. 3: Court Extends Release of Shincheonji Leader Lee Man-hee to the 11th (Seoul Economic Daily)

Sept. 17: Cults in Australia Discussion: Includes Comments by Former SCJ Members (SBS Insight)


Sept. 21: Lee Man-hee's Shincheonji Representatives Deny Charges of Forcing Party Membership at First Trial (The Asia Business Daily)

QuoteLee was indicted and detained on charges of forcing approximately 50,000 followers to join the People Power Party from 2021 to 2024, allegedly to influence presidential and legislative primaries.

Next, an interesting case in which prosecutors contend that a non-Shincheonji church is in fact a Shincheonji church doing a little masquarading, and that statements given in court denying that constitued  perjury.

Certainly SCJ front churches exist. And I remember "Keep Out SCJ" signs were posted quite visibly outside churches. I attended some kind of SCJ event in the basement of a church that dsiplayed such a sign. Is it that the case here? Well the Supreme Court didn't rule on that - just that the possibly subjective opinion that it wasn't a SCJ church is not grounds for perjury. And as to the possible false statement the person's new "church" isn't Shincheonji, well that wouldn't be a subjective opinion if membership continued. In that case, the member would have full knowledge that they were attending a front church. Someone denying they are part of Shincheonji doesn't tell you anything as members lie. So in terms of learning something about the person, asking said person if they are part of SCJ doesn't result in an educating answer unless - and this does occassionally happen, the answer is "yes".

Sept. 24: Supreme Court Rules Acquittal in Perjury Case Over Shincheonji Church Denial, Citing Subjective Evaluation (SBS News)

QuoteThe Supreme Court has ruled that a defendant who testified in court that she did not attend the Shincheonji Church cannot be punished for perjury. ...

"A" appeared as a witness in the trials for both cases and testified to the effect that while she had attended the Shincheonji Church in the past, she now attended a church affiliated with the General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches in Korea.

The prosecution indicted A on perjury charges, claiming she gave false testimony while attending a front church disguised as Shincheonji. The first instance court found her not guilty, but the second instance court found her guilty and sentenced her to a fine of 2 million won. The Supreme Court reversed this decision, leaning toward an acquittal once again.

August 2026 Cont.

Newt was quick, and he has a page in the staff section of The Washington Times.

Aug. 31: Mother Moon's Conviction Threatens Religious Liberty Worldwide - The Global War on Faith (Newt Gingrich for the UC-Owned Washington Times)

QuoteA quiet but dangerous assault on religious freedom, with deep roots in communism, is sweeping the world. What was once confined to the margins of authoritarian regimes has now breached the gates of the democratic world. In what has been described as a "global war on God," the weaponization of the state against communities of faith is occurring in plain sight. The most urgent and tragic battleground of this struggle is unfolding right now in South Korea. ...

Aug. 31: Family Federation Spiritual Leader Jailed for Two Years in South Korea (Andrew Salmon for the UC-Owned Washington Times)

QuoteThe church, which seeks the unification of Christian and other religions worldwide, has often drawn unfavorable attention in the U.S. for some of its practices, including mass weddings, but has enjoyed support from conservative political figures in the West. President Trump and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, among others, have spoken at federation-backed conferences. ...

The revelations linking Japanese lawmakers to the church revitalized a long legal campaign waged against the federation by a lawyers' group representing people who said their families had been coerced into donating to the church.

The church responded that many donations — including half of those made by the mother of Mr. Abe's murderer — had been returned. It also said that practices such as "spiritual sales" of pricey religious trinkets had been discontinued years prior.

Nothing availed. Despite not having broken any Japanese laws, the church was dissolved after its final appeal was overturned in June. The question now is whether the federation will face a similar onslaught in Korea.

Trump's support has been mentioned a couple of times by Andrew, but there is never any mention of the payments by the UC for those endorsements and attendance. I have been meaning to explore more the language, bias, and other omissions in this and other Washington Times articles viewed through the lens of the Media Association for Peace (IMAP) founded by guess who. I certainly have bookmarked some examples. Here are some salient quotes from its inaugural resolution, and then some details that should have been included in the above article regarding Trump et al. if the UC-owned Washington Times adheared to the following stated principles UC-founded IMAP:

QuoteWe applaud the leadership of Dr. HakJa Han Moon and her late husband, Rev. Sun Myung Moon, for their vision and work over many decades to create "one family under God." This includes their founding of UPF, an NGO in general consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, as well as major media outlets such as Segye Ilbo in Korea, Sekai Nippo in Japan, and The Washington Times in the United States. ...

Restore credibility of journalism by scrupulously pursuing accuracy, clear attribution from credible sources, ensuring fairness with inclusion of opposing viewpoints; removing personal bias from news articles; avoiding content that is degrading; and practicing respect for the dignity our audience.

July 14, 2023: Lucrative Speaking Fees for Donald & Melania Trump Revealed in Revised Personal Financial Disclosure Filing (CNN)

QuoteTrump, who leads polls for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, was paid a total of $2 million for speaking at two Universal Peace Federation World Summits in Bedminster, New Jersey, and Palm Beach, Florida. The group was established by the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the Korean evangelist and businessman who founded the Unification Church, and his wife, Hak Ja Han.

Aug. 31: South Korea's UC leader Hak Ja Han Sentenced to Two Years For Corruption (Associated Press)

QuoteThe organization said in a statement Monday that it deeply apologizes for causing "big concerns and disappointment to the people." But it said it cannot accept the ruling against Han and will appeal it.

August 2026 Cont.

Tomorrow (Aug. 31) could be a big news day. I think I might swing by the court house and see what's what....Update: No, it's raining too much. A sign from heaven?

Aug. 30: UC Leader Faces Verdict in Political Funding Case (Seoul Economic Daily)

QuoteAccording to legal sources on the 30th, the 27th criminal division of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge Woo In-sung, will deliver its verdict on the 31st on Han, who faces charges including violation of the Political Funds Act. Rulings will also come the same day for three co-defendants: Han's former chief of staff, surnamed Jung; Yoon Young-ho, former head of the church's world headquarters; and a former church finance director surnamed Lee.

A vigil as members await the verdict, which is due any minute now as I type this - Update, the video is now private. I saw some of it earlier. Lots of members in a large room at their HQ singing, chanting, crying, and speeches delivered with a creepy amount of passion - and that was before the verdict. Here is the Facebook post.


And ahead of the verdict, another indictment. You can't make this stuff up:

Aug. 31: 32 Indicted in Shincheonji, UC Corruption Probe (The Chosun Daily)

QuoteChairman Han Hak-ja allegedly embezzled approximately 10.5 billion Korean won in church funds from January 2017 to May 2025, storing it in a personal safe. This was done by falsifying accounts for overseas missionary support or omitting cash donations from records. The funds were reportedly used for illegal political donations, lobbying, gifts to associates, and personal luxuries. A secret safe in Han's bedroom was managed by one employee without formal expenditure records. During a prior investigation into former first lady Kim Keon-hee, Han's slush fund was estimated at 30 billion Korean won, but the task force applied embezzlement charges to 10.5 billion Korean won out of 26 billion Korean won in seized cash.

Aug. 31: Shincheonji's Lee Man-hee indicted, W26b Seized From UC Leader as Joint Probe Wraps Up (The Korea Herald Business)

QuoteThe task force determined that the Unification Church had used its nationwide organizational network to illegally donate religious funds to politicians in order to cultivate friendly political figures and advance the church founder's theocratic vision of building a nation centered on the Unification Church.

According to the task force, the Unification Church made a total of 219 illegal political donations worth 189 million won in organizational funds to 132 politicians, including National Assembly members, from around March 2019 to around January last year.

On the Unification Church side, former global headquarters chief Yoon Young-ho was indicted along with Song Gwang-seok, former chairman of the church-affiliated International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace, on charges of conspiring to donate 23.7 million won in church funds to 47 politicians, including National Assembly members.

Aug. 31: Joint Investigation Headquarters on Collusion Between Politics & Religion Concludes 8-Month Probe: Lee Manhee Indicted, 26 Billion Won Seized from Han Hakja's Safe (Asia Business Daily)

QuoteThe joint investigation team (headed by Kim Tae-hoon, Daejeon High Prosecutors' Office) that has been investigating corruption involving Shincheonji and the Unification Church concluded its eight-month investigation and ended its activities on the 31st. The team announced that it has indicted 32 people, including Lee Man-hee, Shincheonji's general director, and Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja

Photo of Han Hak-ja arriving at the court. The rain didn't keep her away as it did me.

Aug. 31: The Sentencing Hearing for UC Leader Han Hak-ja in Seoul (Reuters)

Lots of coverage of the sentencing. I'll just post a few articles rather. Now the verdict is in, I'm particularly interested in the spin-doctoring from the UC and its propagandists.

Aug. 31: UC Leader Sentenced to 2-Year Prison Term in Bribery Case (Yonhap News)

QuoteA Seoul district court on Monday sentenced Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja to two years in prison in a bribery case involving the wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The Seoul Central District Court handed down the sentence for the 83-year-old, which is lower than a 13-year prison term sought by special counsel Min Joong-ki's team.

Aug. 31: 'Moonies' Church Leader Jailed for Two Years Over Bribery Offences (BBC)

Aug. 31: UC Leader Sentenced for Political Collusion (The Chosun Daily)

Aug. 31: UC President Han Hakja Sentenced to 2 Years in First Trial: "Saw Presidential Election as Opportunity for Organizational Expansion" (The Asia Business Daily)

QuoteThe court stated, "The Unification Church used its financial resources and viewed the 20th presidential election as an opportunity for expanding its influence. After supporting a candidate who was favorable to the Church, the crime was committed with the intent to secure state backing for church policies and to expand its political influence following the inauguration of the new administration."

However, the court noted as mitigating factors that "she has no prior criminal record and her efforts for world peace as a religious leader should be taken into account."

Her efforts for world peace? Wow.

May 11, 2012: Jogye Order in Disarray Over Gambling Monks (The Korea Times)

QuoteThe monks were seen playing poker with hundreds of millions of won, which is believed to be from donations from believers.

May 11, 2012: Gambling Row Hits South Korea Monks (BBC)

May 16, 2012: Jogye Order Hit hard By Scandals (The Korea Times)

July 17, 2018: Scandal-Laden Chief of Korea's Biggest Buddhist Sect Facing Calls for Resignation (The Korea Herald)

Aug. 10, 2018: Jogye's Deputy President Quits After Single Day (Korea JoongAng Daily)

Aug. 19, 2025: Buddhist Monk Gets 1-Year Jail for Refusing Alcohol Test, Assaulting Police (The Chosun Daily)

Nov. 17, 2025: Police Probe Embezzlement Allegations at Geumsansa Temple (The Chosun Daily)

Quote"This is not merely accounting fraud but a serious power-based corruption crime involving the privatization of taxpayers' money under the guise of religious authority and the maintenance of a slush fund structure within the religious order."