State interference in Japan and South Korea draws scrutiny at international religious freedom summit in Washington DC
Tokyo, 4th February 2026 – Published as an article in the Japanese newspaper Sekai Nippo. Republished with permission. Translated from Japanese. Original article.
International Religious Freedom Summit Held in the U.S.
Persecution Domino Effect from Japan and South Korea
Concerns Raised by U.S. Faith Office Advisers over Detention of Elderly Hak Ja Han
by Yuya Kawase (川瀬 裕也)
prepared by Knut Holdhus
The International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit 2026, aimed at promoting freedom of religion worldwide, was held in Washington, D.C., over a two-day period beginning on 2nd February. Government officials, religious leaders, and human rights activists from various countries participated, engaging in discussions on increasingly serious challenges to religious freedom around the world, including issues surrounding the Japanese government’s request for a dissolution order against the religious corporation Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (formerly the Unification Church).
At a dinner reception on the first day, Paula White, Senior Adviser to the White House Faith Office, emphasized that Pastor Son Hyun-bo (손현보), who had been detained in South Korea, was released as a result of efforts by the Trump administration. She appealed for cooperation among people who follow God and their conscience, declaring that “chains are broken, and freedom prevails.”
At the same time, she referred to the continued detention of Hak Ja Han (한학자), president of the Family Federation, expressing “serious concerns” regarding her health, dignity, and human rights. She further named Japan and South Korea explicitly, calling on them to protect religious freedom “fully, fairly, and consistently.”
Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich also delivered a video message, stressing that religious freedom is “an unalienable right given by the Creator.” He pointed out that state intervention between God and citizens represents “the essence of the growing crisis in Japan and South Korea.” He went on to criticize as “a grave abuse of power” the situation in which the 83-year-old Han, who suffers from visual impairment and difficulty walking, remains in detention, and urged the South Korean government to consider her release.
Subsequently, Masaichi Hori (堀正一), president of the Japan-based religious corporation Family Federation, took the stage and cited reports that in December last year, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung (이재명) instructed the Minister of Justice to investigate Japan’s move toward a dissolution order and examine whether similar measures could be applied in South Korea. Hori warned that “a domino effect has begun in which religious persecution spreads to other democratic nations, Asian countries, and the world.”
He further quoted Italian sociologist of religion Massimo Introvigne, who has argued that “China is the force driving this domino effect,” and appealed that “only the United States and its allies can put a stop to religious persecution.”
In addition to these speeches, panel discussions were held featuring speakers such as Katrina Lantos Swett, former chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF); Thomas McDevitt, chairman of The Washington Times; and international lawyer Tatsuki Nakayama (中山達樹), among others.