Katarina Connery

wife, mother, and leader

[The Monarch Report @monarchreport25]

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?

[Katarina Connery @KatConnery85]

@ChanceSon1226 🙏🙏

[Katarina Connery @KatConnery85]

@DemianDunkley This is just insane #ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace

[Katarina Connery @KatConnery85]

@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

[Kaeleigh Moffitt @MoffittKaeleigh]

@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

[Katarina Connery @KatConnery85]

@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

[Katarina Connery @KatConnery85]

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

[Demian Dunkley @DemianDunkley]

https://t.co/6GmQBiyNOa

[Katarina Connery @KatConnery85]

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

[Katarina Connery @KatConnery85]

@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

[Katarina Connery @KatConnery85]

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

[Katarina Connery @KatConnery85]

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

[Katarina Connery @KatConnery85]

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

[Demian Dunkley @DemianDunkley]

ChosunBiz has already picked up the op-ed and pushed the story online. Here is a translation of the latest online article by Reporter Lee Jong-hyun.

Gingrich, Who Published an Advertisement Calling for Han Hak-ja’s Release: “The Korean Government Must Not Set a Precedent of Violating Religious Freedom”
Reporter Lee Jong-hyun
Published Nov. 24, 2025, 17:08
Updated Nov. 24, 2025, 17:09

Newt Gingrich, Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives / REUTERS–News1

Newt Gingrich, one of America’s most prominent conservative politicians and a former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, has placed an advertisement in the Korean media calling for the release of Han Hak-ja, President of the Unification Church.

On the 24th, Gingrich published a print advertisement titled “The Korea–U.S. Alliance Is a Values Alliance” in several Korean news outlets. Gingrich is a leading American conservative figure and a close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump.

In the advertisement, Gingrich stated:
“I have spent decades in the U.S. Congress and public life consistently emphasizing that religious freedom, human rights, and democracy are essential to global stability. In a free society, religious leaders are not arrested for their religious activities or for how they run their church. Doing so would directly violate the core democratic principles of freedom of religion and conscience.”

Gingrich criticized the Korean government, which has detained President Han Hak-ja:
“This action by the Korean government appears to be direct state intervention into the legitimate activities of a religious leader. This should serve as a serious red flag to American leaders.”

He continued:
“President Han Hak-ja has led a faith community for decades, and her activities clearly fall within the religious sphere. The moment the government intrudes into this sphere, the principles of Korean democracy begin to falter.”

Gingrich further noted:
“The Unification Church has long carried out efforts to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula, ease North–South tensions, foster international cultural exchange, and conduct large-scale global service activities. It would be inaccurate to say the movement has never faced controversy or criticism, but hastily labeling this organization and its leader as a ‘criminal group’ could be a serious misjudgment.”

He emphasized that the Korea–U.S. alliance is rooted in shared values of freedom, saying:
“Korea must not leave behind a shameful precedent of violating religious freedom.”

Gingrich pointed out:
“President Han Hak-ja is 82 years old and has long emphasized peace, family values, and interreligious dialogue within the international community. Detaining such a leader raises serious concerns in terms of fairness, proportionality, and public interest.”

He stressed:
“Detention must always be a last resort. When applied to an elderly religious leader, the social and humanitarian consequences must be considered with even greater caution.”

Gingrich concluded by saying:
“I once again urge the Korean government and President Lee Jae-myung to make the right decision. This case is a test of democracy, religious freedom, and the dignity of the nation.”

[Katarina Connery @KatConnery85]

@DemianDunkley @newtgingrich Whoa! 👏👏

[Demian Dunkley @DemianDunkley]

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

[Katarina Connery @KatConnery85]

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

[Katarina Connery @KatConnery85]

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

[Katarina Connery @KatConnery85]

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

[Center for Political Innovation @RealCPIUSA]

https://t.co/3HgdAVh7MF

Persecution of Peace Church continues in Japan and South Korea

[Katarina Connery @KatConnery85]

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

[Katarina Connery @KatConnery85]

@RealCalebMaupin Whoa! 👏👏 #ReleaseTheMotherOfPeace

[Katarina Connery @KatConnery85]

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