Despite Pastor Han’s apology, believers held protest as scheduled(26-08-18)

[최종근]

Although Pastor Han In-soo issued an apology, believers in Nonsan Church held their protest as scheduled—while church leadership didn’t come out of the building (2026-08-18)

At 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, believers from the Nonsan Church held a protest demonstration as scheduled in front of the Association headquarters, holding banners reading, “All the incompetent top leadership must resign!” and “We firmly oppose the unjust personnel measures against Pastor Han In-soo.”

A vehicle equipped with loudspeakers was provided for the day’s demonstration, and the event proceeded in an orderly manner. The rally began with national ceremonies, such as a salute to the national flag, and Nonsan Church members harshly criticized the leadership for failing to take responsibility—even though President Han Hak-ja had been detained and the Special Prosecutor had sought a 13-year prison sentence for her.

Meanwhile, while the protest was underway, the Unification Church leadership did not appear outside the building but watched the demonstration from inside the air-conditioned building.

A Japanese believer delivering a protest statement.

◆ Association places Pastor Han In-soo on administrative leave—Statement of Apology also released

On August 10, 2026, the Association convened a disciplinary committee in the absence of Church Pastor Han In-soo. After approximately three hours of deliberation, the Association announced that it had decided to suspend Church Pastor Han In-soo for “six months” and, on August 14, sent an official notice regarding this special personnel decision to churches nationwide.

Furthermore, on August 17, the Association posted the Statement of Apology released by former Nonsan Church Pastor Han In-soo in the “Announcements” section of its official website and widely publicized it via KakaoTalk and other channels.

▶https://www.ffwp.org/list/blank_view.php?menuKey=50&numberKey=28076&page=1

The full text of Pastor Han In-soo’s Statement of Apology is included at the end of this post; interested members are encouraged to read it.

◆ Unification Church leadership failed to stop protest demonstrations

The Unification Church leadership took issue with Pastor Han In-soo’s sermon delivered on July 26, 2026, and on August 14, imposed a “six-month suspension” on him. Furthermore, since the Association published Pastor Han In-soo’s Statement of Apology on its website on August 17, it appears they had concluded that the protest demonstrations by Nonsan believers would cease.

However, despite Pastor Han In-soo’s apology, the Nonsan Church believers gathered in front of the Association headquarters as planned and, through their protest, harshly criticized the problems within the Unification Church leadership.

If this movement spreads among many members, the protests could expand even further following the verdict scheduled for August 31, 2026, regarding President Han Hak-ja.

We plan to provide a detailed account of today’s demonstration by Nonsan Church members and the Association’s response to it at a later date.

2026-08-18

Choi Jong-keun

[Unification Church Anti-Corruption Monitoring Committee]

(*As this document was generated by AI, it may contain typos or mistranslations.)

【Reference posts】

■ Association imposed “6-month suspension” on Pastor Han In-soo in the end—Nonsan Church members to hold protest rally in front of Association on the 18th (2026-08-15)

https://cafe.daum.net/antiuccorruption/ZXsd/1589?svc=cafeapi

■ Nonsan Church members to hold a large-scale protest on August 18 (2026-08-13)

https://cafe.daum.net/antiuccorruption/ZXsd/1587?svc=cafeapi

■ Nonsan Church members protest Pastor Han’s suspension —Allegations of lack of transparency surrounding the “Divine Unification Fund” (2026-08-10)

https://cafe.daum.net/antiuccorruption/cRwZ/53

■ Nonsan Church members protest against Pastor’s “suspension” (2026-08-06)

https://cafe.daum.net/antiuccorruption/ZXsd/1580

■ The Unification Church leadership in turmoil—Sloppy management at The Ocean Resort and Yongpyeong Resort, and Pastor Han In-soo’s criticism of the leadership (2026-08-04)

https://cafe.daum.net/antiuccorruption/ZXsd/1579

The following is the original text of Church Pastor Han In-soo’s Statement of Apology

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We would like to share Pastor Han In-soo’s message regarding the disciplinary measures decided by the “First Disciplinary Committee of the 14th Year of Cheon Il Guk,” which was announced on August 14, 2026.

Statement of Apology by Former Nonsan Church Pastor Han In-soo

I offer my deepest and most sincere apologies to our beloved Heavenly Parents and True Parents of Heaven, Earth, and Humankind; to the respected Association Chairman

Song Yong-cheon; to all pastors and public officials nationwide; and to the members of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification who have consistently supported us.

I deeply reflect on and humbly apologize for the fact that the sermon I delivered during the Sunday service at the Nonsan Church on July 26, 2026, was disseminated to the outside world, thereby damaging the status and authority of True Parents and True Mother and causing great shock and confusion within the faith community.

When conveying the Word, a pastor must not prioritize personal judgment or emotions but must fully consider the faith and order of the faith community and use measured language. However, by using overly assertive and extreme language in that sermon, I caused True Mother great concern, hurt many members, and created confusion. I take full responsibility for failing to fully consider the content and wording of the sermon, as well as the impact it would have.

Furthermore, I take full responsibility for failing to faithfully carry out the guidelines established by the Association regarding reporting prayer. As a public official, I should have respected and adhered to the community’s regulations and administrative guidelines; however, I failed to do so adequately and thereby undermined the order and harmony of the church. I offer my heartfelt apologies for this.

I also offer my deepest apologies to Association Chairman Song Yong-cheon and the Association leadership, who had to make difficult decisions regarding this matter, as well as to the district superintendents and all those involved who worked diligently to resolve the situation and provide guidance. Above all, I am deeply sorry for causing concern and confusion to the members of the Nonsan Church, who believed in me and walked alongside me, as well as to all members of the Family Federation nationwide.

I accept with humility and in all seriousness the decision of the Association’s Disciplinary Committee, my removal from the position of Nonsan Church Pastor, and my suspension while on standby at the Divine Korea Headquarters. During my suspension, I will faithfully comply with all regulations pertaining to my duties and will handle the handover of responsibilities accountably. Furthermore, I will use this period as a time of reflection and repentance, thoroughly examining my faith, my attitude as a pastor, and my words and actions.

Going forward, regardless of the circumstances, I will act with even greater caution and humility to ensure that my personal emotions or judgments do not undermine the order and harmony of our faith community. I will not stop at mere words of apology but will demonstrate true reflection and change through moderation, obedience, and responsible conduct.

I once again offer my heartfelt apologies to True Mother, Association Chariman Song Yong-cheon, all pastors and public officials, and all believers nationwide who have been hurt by my shortcomings. I pray from the bottom of my heart that the wounds and confusion caused by this incident will be healed as soon as possible, and that our faith community may regain harmony and trust centered on True Parents.

August 16, 2026

Han In-soo, Former Nonsan Church Pastor