Statement on Court Proceedings Concerning Dr. Hak Ja Han

New York, United States – Following the July 10, 2026, final hearing before the Seoul Central District Court in the judicial proceedings concerning Dr. Hak Ja Han, co-founder of the Universal Peace Federation, UPF issued the following statement:

The Universal Peace Federation affirms its profound respect for the judicial process and its confidence that the principles of due process, judicial independence, impartiality, the presumption of innocence, and the rule of law will guide the Court’s deliberations and final judgment. These principles are reflected in internationally recognized standards of justice, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which affirms every person’s right to a fair and public hearing before an independent and impartial tribunal.

As an international non-governmental organization in General Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), UPF remains firmly committed to advancing peace through dialogue, service, interreligious cooperation, family-centered values, and partnerships across nations and cultures. Our mission is to support the purposes and principles of the United Nations by promoting peace, human dignity, sustainable development, and international cooperation.

At this important stage of the proceedings, UPF, together with its worldwide network of Ambassadors for Peace, expresses its unwavering respect, solidarity and confidence in Dr. Hak Ja Han. Having worked alongside her for decades and witnessed her extraordinary life of service firsthand, we remain firmly convinced that the allegations do not reflect her character, her intentions, or the lifelong record of peacebuilding that has defined her public life. We therefore remain confident in her innocence and trust that the judicial process will ultimately establish the truth.

For more than six decades, Dr. Hak Ja Han has devoted her life to strengthening families, promoting reconciliation among nations and religions, advancing interfaith cooperation, encouraging service to humanity, and fostering a culture of peace rooted in the ideal of One Family under God. Her enduring record of humanitarian leadership and institution-building has inspired millions of people around the world and stands as compelling testimony to the principles that have guided her life.

UPF reaffirms its respect for the Republic of Korea, its democratic institutions, and the independence of its judiciary. We trust that justice will be administered impartially, with careful consideration of all the evidence and full respect for the truth.

As this judicial process continues, UPF will remain steadfast in its mission to build bridges of peace among nations, religions, races and cultures. Our commitment to dialogue, reconciliation, strong families, service to humanity and international cooperation remains unchanged.

We invite our Ambassadors for Peace, partners, friends and all people of goodwill to continue advancing these shared ideals with confidence, dignity and hope. Together, let us reaffirm our belief that truth, justice, compassion and mutual respect are the enduring foundations of lasting peace and the realization of One Family under God.

Dr. Tageldin Hamad, President, UPF-International July 17, 2026