Stranger Things

Dec. 16: Who is Han Hak-ja, 'True Mother' at Center of UC Scandals? (The Korea Times)

QuoteHan presides over a media network that includes The Washington Times, a conservative newspaper in the United States, and Segye Ilbo in Korea, all owned through church-affiliated companies and used to promote narratives sympathetic to the movement. Prosecutors say the church has not only maintained but strategically leveraged these outlets under Han's leadership, using political connections to protect and expand its business interests.

Dec. 20: A Washington Times mention caught my eye from this UC Facebook page, called The Monarch Report:

QuoteIn December 2025, Pastor Mark Burns—a prominent U.S. evangelical leader and spiritual advisor to President Trump—completed his third fact-finding mission to South Korea with Michael Jenkins, President of The Washington Times Foundation and Universal Peace Federation (UPF).

The delegation met with detained religious figures, including Dr. Hak Ja Han of the Unification Church and Pastor Son Hyun-bo of Segero Church, both held following raids targeting multiple religious organizations.

Aug. 20: Shincheonji Apologizes Over Mass PPP Sign-Ups Amid Investigation (Korea JoongAng Daily)

Aug. 23: Rights Groups Push South Korea to Free Shincheonji Founder (News Ghana)

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

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)

Aug. 31: Joint Investigation Body Into Political-Religious Collusion Concludes Probe; Indicts 32, Including Lee Man-hee & Hak-ja Han (SBS News)

Aug. 17: Seoul Slammed Over Weaponized Legal System Targeting Church Leaders, New Religions (Andrew Salmon for the UC-Owned Washington Times)

A lot to unpack, but for the purposes of this thread, I'll just quote the paragraphs concerning Massimo:

Quote"Minorities, in particular religious minorities, are usually attacked in three stages," said Massimo Introvigne, co-founder of CESNUR and editor of religious-freedom publication Bitter Winter. He listed intolerance in media, discrimination from administrative authorities and, finally, persecution and violence. "That applies to totalitarian and democratic states," he warned. The petition noted that the case against Mr. Lee "unfolds in a climate where media representations of Shincheonji as a 'cult' often rely on polemical accounts by religious opponents who denounce it as heresy."

During the COVID pandemic, Shincheonji was famously accused of breaching social distancing protocols. Those claims were eventually determined to be false in court proceedings, but still circulate widely.

In June, the Family Federation was legally disbanded in Japan after appeals to Japan's highest court failed. Though it had broken no laws, the dissolution of the church — physical seizure and liquidation of all properties; loss of jobs by all staff and clergy — was ordered on grounds that it had "harmed public welfare."

Japan and South Korea share similar judicial systems: The latter adopted its legal code from the former during 1919-1945 Imperial rule. Currently, a piece of legislation, the "Bill to Prevent Church-State Collusion" — unofficially dubbed the "Church Dissolution Act" — is pending at the Korean National Assembly.

The Family Federation, which promotes conservative family values, has always opposed communism. That has generated powerful enemies, some of whom may be coalescing. Liberal Japanese anti-Federation activists visited Daejon, Korea, in September to join a conference with Evangelical Christian pastors and a professor from China's National Police Academy who specializes in oversight of religious movements.

Mr. Introvigne dubs the emergent trilateral grouping an "Unholy Alliance." Beijing is officially atheist and permits only state-sanctioned religious activities. State agencies root out underground churches and have suppressed a new religion, Falun Gong.

In 2019, some hardline Korean Christian clergy cooperated with Beijing to compel the deportation of worshippers of an underground Chinese religion, the Church of Almighty God, who had escaped to Korea seeking asylum. Korea's conservative opposition party has been shattered in the wake of Mr. Yoon's overthrow, losing both the presidency and the National Assembly. That means it may lack levers to fight the legislation.

Mr. Introvigne suggests that the biggest bully pulpit now exists in the United States. "In the U.S, there is more awareness of the problems taking place in a country that is a fundamental regional ally of the U.S.," he said.

December 2025

Dec. 5: Yamagami Ends Testimony With First Apology to Abe's Family (Asahi Shimbun)

Dec. 6: Head of UC in Japan to Resign as Court Case Continues (The Japan News)

QuoteTanaka is expected to hold a press conference as early as next week to announce his resignation and explain his reasons, the sources said. He also plans to apologize to former adherents of the church and others who have complained about damage caused by large donations to the group, formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, according to the sources.

Dec. 6: Japanese PM-Assassin Hearing Puts Fraudulent Religious Groups Under Scrutiny (Caliber)

Dec. 9: UC's Japan Head Resigns (Nippon)

Dec. 10: UC Japan Leader Resigns Ahead of Court Ruling (Union of Catholic Asian News)

QuoteTanaka, 69, announced his resignation at a press conference at the group's headquarters in Tokyo. He said the resignation took immediate effect, while offering an apology to people who suffered psychological and financial harm. "We must not underestimate the deep pain caused to some people," Tanaka said. "I take this seriously and apologize.

The National Network of Lawyers Against Spiritual Sales, representing former followers and families, issued a statement shortly after the announcement, saying Tanaka's apology must be backed by concrete accountability measures, including compensation.

"If this constitutes a withdrawal of the organization's long-held claim that 'there are no victims or unlawful acts,' then the Unification Church should immediately withdraw the many SLAPP [Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation] lawsuits it has filed against lawyers and journalists, face all victims, including second-generation members, with sincerity, and provide compensation for their suffering," lead attorney Susumu Murakoshi said in a statement. ...

Another member of the network, attorney Masaki Kito, wrote on X: "Today's press conference was not at the level of a standard resignation announcement; if anything, it conveyed the message that the Unification Church will not change at all going forward. It can only be described as a press conference lacking sincerity."

Dec. 15: Unification Church Issues Public Apology (UPI - Owned by Preston Moon)

Dec. 18: Prosecutors Demand Life Sentence For Shooter of Ex-Japan Prime Minister Abe (Mainichi Shimbun)

Dec. 18: Prosecutors Seek Life Sentence for Yamagami Over Abe's Death (Asahi Shimbun)

Dec. 18: Tokyo Court Orders Former UC to Pay Damages Over Large Donations (NHK World Japan/Internet Archive)
Note: Compare with Related Apologist Articles

QuoteThe former follower, who died four years ago at the age of 91, donated a total of more than 100 million yen, or about 640,000 dollars, to the group from 2005 through 2010.

She signed a written pledge in 2015, at the age of 86, stating that she would not seek a refund. Her daughter sought compensation of more than 65 million yen from the group. The daughter said her mother was forced to make large donations through the group's illegal solicitation.

After the district and high courts dismissed the claim, the Supreme Court ruled the written pledge invalid and ordered the high court to reexamine the case. It pointed out that the former follower was diagnosed with dementia about six months after submitting the document.

In Thursday's ruling, the presiding judge said that as a result of the large donations, the woman was forced to live on about 90,000 yen, or around 580 dollars, a month and borrow money from acquaintances. She went on to say that the situation caused the woman significant difficulties in maintaining her livelihood.

The judge pointed out that the group's solicitation of donations went beyond what is considered socially acceptable and was illegal. This is the first ruling to invalidate such a written pledge and find the group's solicitation of donations illegal. The ruling is expected to affect efforts to seek compensation from the group.

Dec. 21: Japanese Prosecutors Seek Life Sentence for Abe Assassin (UPI - Owned by Preston Moon)

Nov. 15: UC in Japan to Pay 19.7 Billion Won to Victims of Large Donations"Includes South Korean Residents (Asia Business Daily)

QuoteThe "Family Federation Victims' Legal Team," which has been supporting individuals harmed by large donations and other practices of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church, hereinafter referred to as the "Family Federation") in Japan, announced on November 14 that, as a result of civil mediation, the organization has agreed to pay approximately 2.1 billion yen (about 19.7 billion won) in damages to 132 claimants. Among the victims are residents of South Korea....

Attorney Susumu Murakoshi, a member of the legal team, commented on the organization's change in attitude-having previously refused civil mediation-by saying, "Now that the dissolution order feels more realistic, they may be seeking a way to prolong their existence," and added, "The number of victims who have actually resolved their issues remains extremely small."

Nov. 19: Even after Abe's Death, Suspect's Mother Stays Faithful to UC (Japan Times)

QuoteThe mother of Tetsuya Yamagami, who is standing trial in connection with the 2022 killing of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, told a court she feels guilty for her son's actions, saying that she herself "is the perpetrator," media outlets have reported.

Despite this, the mother, who appeared at the Nara District Court as a defense witness on Tuesday, said she wants to keep her faith in the Unification Church, a controversial religious group.

The church's influence on her family has become a focal point of the murder trial, as the defense hopes to portray Yamagami as a victim of child abuse as part of efforts to seek leniency....

The mother, who joined the group in 1991, made donations of over ¥100 million, including money the family received as insurance payouts after her husband's suicide, and was eventually declared bankrupt. Yamagami has told investigators he long held a grudge against the church and targeted Abe after learning that the politician contributed a video message to a church-affiliated group.

The mother has also admitted that, when the defendant attempted suicide in 2005 while serving with the Maritime Self-Defense Force, she was in South Korea, where the religious group is based. She did not head back to Japan immediately upon learning about the attempted suicide, however, because she "heard a voice from God not to go back," according to her reported testimony.

After that incident, Yamagami's uncle protested the church and had ¥50 million of the donated money returned, the mother said. While part of that money was paid to Yamagami, the largest portion was spent on the elder brother of the defendant, who had a severe illness and later died by suicide.

Nov. 21: Abe Assassin's Family had "Nothing to Eat" Because of Mother's 100mil. Donation to UC (Nippon TV -Includes Video)

Nov. 26: Yamagami: No Anger at Abe But Fear He Could Legitimize Church (Asahi Shimbun)
Note to Self: Compare timeline of events to apologists blaming the murder on lawyers who support cult victims.

QuoteDuring the trial, the defense team has emphasized that Yamagami's life went downhill after his father killed himself and his mother donated heavily to the church. Yamagami attempted suicide in 2005 on thoughts of leaving insurance money to his older brother and younger sister, left the Maritime Self-Defense Force where he was employed, and returned home.

To make a living, he obtained licenses as a real estate agent and a level-2 financial planner over the next few years. While researching the deed of his old family home, he discovered that his mother had sold the house to provide more donations to the church.

"A huge shock" came in 2015, when his brother, who had opposed their mother's faith, committed suicide. Yamagami said two people connected to the church appeared at the brother's wake and suddenly began performing a church ritual in front of the coffin. "Stop it, please leave," Yamagami told them, but to no avail, he said. "I could do nothing but watch in silence, but I thought, 'How could they do such a thing?'" he said in court.

November 2025

Nov. 13: Yamagami Mother keeps Faith in UC, Apologizes For Son (The Chosun Daily)

Nov. 14: Mother of Abe Shooter Apologizes, Still Follows UC; Accused Avoids Eye Contact (The Japan News)

QuoteAccording to the mother's testimony, her husband committed suicide in 1984. In August 1991, she joined the organization. At that time, her eldest son — the defendant's older brother — had lost sight in one eye, and the defendant was in elementary school.

The mother said she joined the religion after a young woman visited her home and asked, "Is your family doing well?" The mother told the woman about her eldest son and received an invitation to a Unification Church facility.

The mother said she donated ¥20 million to the group immediately after joining. "[I was] deeply troubled by my husband's suicide and my eldest son's surgery," she explained. About six months later, she donated another ¥30 million. "My sick eldest son was a major factor," she said, adding that she believed the donations would save him.

According to her testimony, the source of the total ¥50 million was a life insurance payout after her husband's death. She also said that she sold property and other items following the death of the defendant's grandfather in 1998 and donated about another ¥40 million. She is said to have donated ¥100 million in total.

She told the court that she bought paintings from the group for about ¥700,000 to ¥1 million each and a pot for about ¥700,000. She also took a trip to South Korea, where the Church's headquarters are located, leaving the defendant, who was a minor back then, and his older brother at home.

When the defense attorney pointed out that the timing of the defendant's enrollment in school coincided with the donations, the mother said, "I thought that donating was more important than [education]."

Nov. 14: Biggest Crisis Yet For Head of Former UC (NHK Japan/ Video)

Oct. 22: A Son's Anger & A Mother's Faith: The Family History Behind The Abe Shooting Suspect (Mainichi Shimbun)

Oct. 22: Former PM Shinzo Abe Killer's Mother to Testify in Court (The Japan News/Yomuri Shimbun)

QuoteThe mother of Tetsuya Yamagami, indicted for killing former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with a handmade gun in Nara in 2022, will go to court as a defense witness, it was learned Wednesday. ...

The defense witnesses include the mother, who went into personal bankruptcy after donating a total of around ¥100 million to the religious cult, his younger sister and a religion scholar well versed in the issue of massive donations to cults and their spiritual sales.

Oct. 27: Editorial: Trial of Abe's killer Must Delve Deep to Reveal the Truth of the Crime (Asahi Ahimbun)

QuoteUnraveling the motive will be an important factor for deciding on the punishment. We hope that the trial will look into the background of the incident as well as provide once again for the wide sharing with society of child abuse stemming from religious beliefs and the actual situation surrounding the church. ...

Then Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that the party would sever all ties with the church. But efforts by church members to again approach politicians to provide support during elections have recurred.

Oct. 29: Hearings on UC Dissolution Order to End in November (The Japan Times)

QuoteDefendant Tetsuya Yamagami, 45, accused of murdering Abe in the July 2022 shooting, had said he was motivated by a grudge against the Unification Church, of which his mother was a follower. This raised public awareness of the issue of massive donations to the group by believers and shed light on its ties with conservative Japanese politicians.

So far, the high court has held closed hearings four times. According to the Unification Church, the fourth session examined testimony by two believers as requested by the group. Of the two, a South Korean national in her 50s who married a Japanese man at a mass wedding organized by the group claimed that she was discriminated against after the shooting.

The other witness, a Unification Church staff worker in his 30s, showed concern that defamation of believers will escalate after the disbandment order. Sources said that the high court asked both sides to submit final written arguments by Nov. 21, which means that the appeal proceedings will end soon. The court may give its judgment early next year.

If the court upholds the disbandment order, the process to liquidate the Unification Church will start immediately. The group can continue activities as an unincorporated association, but it must dispose of properties, including facilities for worship, and it will be unable to receive tax benefits.

October 2025

Oct. 1: UN Experts Concerned by Continued Stigmatisation of Religious Minorities (UN Human Rights Office)

Quote"While the pamphlets highlighted important information about child abuse and offered a highly valuable line of contact between young people and the State regarding their human rights, it is disappointing that the pamphlets appear to target some practices and activities, especially those of Jehovah's Witnesses," the experts said. "Rather than protecting children who belong to religion or belief minorities, these materials risk contributing to their bullying and marginalisation," they said. Consultations with civil society and minorities in relation to the "Q&A on Responses to Child Abuse Related to Religious Beliefs, etc." ("Q&A Guidelines"), can help address these discriminatory concerns, they said.

Oct. 2: First Arbitration Concludes With UC To Pay Victims (Mainichi Shimbun)

QuoteThe arbitration case filed with the Tokyo District Court was one of over 180 cases brought by victims seeking around 6 billion yen over the issue, which came to light following the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022 by a man who claimed to hold a grudge against the church due to its aggressive fundraising.

The group of attorneys known as Lawyers from Across Japan for the Victims of the Unification Church began arbitration proceedings in July 2023, following the church's refusal to engage in collective bargaining over the matter.

A woman who was swindled out of around 36 million yen by the church said that she "hopes other victims will reach a resolution soon," adding that she had been frustrated by the deception.

Oct. 3: UC Reaches Settlement with 3 Former Followers (Nippon TV)

QuoteThese are the first settlements reached in a group mediation involving about 190 former members and others seeking damages totaling more than 5.9 billion yen. Lawyers from across Japan for the Victims of the Unification Church said the three former followers are women in their 80s. The lawyers' group said the development opens the possibility of relief for many other victims.

Oct. 3: Japan Court to Deliver Ruling on Ex-PM Abe's Shooter in January (Mainichi Shimbun)

August 2026

Aug. 11: Nine UC officials Indicted Over Alleged Illegal Political Donations (The Korea Times)

Aug. 11: Korea Indicts 3 UC Leaders for Illegal Donations to 132 Politicians (Chosun Biz)

Quote... As a result, the Unification Church had many politicians attend events it hosted and illegally donated political funds under the personal names of church officials. The task force found that from Sept. 2019 to Jan. 2025, the church made a total of 218 illegal donations amounting to about 188 million won to 132 politicians, including National Assembly members.

Aug. 11: Joint Investigation HQ Indicts Nine Including Yoon Youngho of UC ... Illegal Donations of 188 Million Won to 132 Politicians (Asia Business Daily)

Aug. 11: UC Officials Indicted for Illegally Donating 180 Million Won to 132 Politicians (SBS News)

Aug. 12: S. Korea Indicts Three Unification Church Officials Over Political Donations (Preston Moon-Owned UPI)

Aug. 12: Former UC official & Two Others Indicted in South Korea (NHK World)

QuoteInvestigative authorities in South Korea have indicted three people including an ex-official of the religious group widely known as the Unification Church for alleged offences, including making illegal monetary donations to more than 130 politicians, to try and expand its influence. The three have not been detained. They include Yun Young-ho, the former head of the global division of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, which is the official name of the religious group.

Aug. 21: Kwon Sung-dong Loses Law License After Prison Term Confirmed in UC Bribery Case (The Korea Herald)

Aug. 29: Ambassador Evans: What's Happening in Korea Should Alarm Everyone (Faith Freeedom Peace/The UC)

July 24: Second-Gen. of UC Members in Japan Sue for 320 Million Yen in Damages (Mainichi Shimbun)

QuoteThese "second-generation" members claim that their parents prevented them from making free decisions and caused them severe psychological harm. The plaintiffs hold the church responsible rather than their parents, arguing that the parents' actions were strongly influenced by the church's teachings.

According to the plaintiffs' attorney, this is believed to be the first class action by second-generation members. The plaintiffs argue, "The church instructed parents to prioritize religious practice over the human rights of their children, severely distorting the environment in which the second generation grew up. These children suffered abusive acts that violated their rights to freedom of religion and marriage, among others."

July 31: UC Land Seized for Donation Refunds (Asahi Shimbun)

QuoteThe Tokyo District Court issued the ruling on July 18 in response to a request by 10 women in their 50s to 80s who are former members of the religious organization. The women claim to have collectively lost 227 million yen ($1.52 million) to the former Unification Church, through what they describe as exploitative donation extraction practices. ...

The land, located in the upscale Shoto district, is estimated to have roughly the same value as what the 10 women are seeking in damages. The women's legal team warned of a growing risk that the group could hide or transfer assets, since the government-ordered dissolution of the church could be finalized as early as this year.

"Given the high risk of asset concealment, securing the land where the headquarters stands—a symbol of the organization—is highly significant," lead attorney Susumu Murakoshi said at the news conference.

Sept. 22: Defense Team to Claim 'Religious Abuse' Prompted Abe's Slaying (Asahi Shimbun)