GLOBAL PRESSURE RISING: Newt's Message is Attracting Attention in Korea
When Newt Gingrich published a full-page ad in major Korean newspapers calling for Dr. Hak Ja Han’s release, the reaction was instant. Gingrich is not viewed as a distant pundit. He is a heavyweight with direct ties to U.S. power, and Koreans understood the signal. Media outlets, political commentators, and YouTube analysts moved fast.
Reporter Lee Jong-hyun highlighted the ad as an extraordinary intervention that warns Korea about violating religious freedom and risking damage to the Korea–U.S. alliance. But the biggest impact just came from the digital arena.
Speaker Newt Gingrich's editorial -Printed in Chosun Ilbo, Kyunghyang Shinmun, and Hankook ilbo. Read article here: https://x.com/DemianDunkley/status/1992866098002481242?s=20
Kang Sin-eop Breaks It Open Kang Sin-eop, one of Korea’s most influential legal commentators, declared the ad a “bombshell.” He interpreted it not as commentary but as a geopolitical warning. His message: the Korean government cannot ignore this without consequences, especially if American conservatives frame the case as religious persecution.
For Korean audiences, the combination was explosive. Gingrich supplied the moral weight. Kang seems to have added the strategic threat.
Why This Can Hit Hard Korea is used to noise but not to a figure of Gingrich’s stature stepping directly into a domestic legal case. The ad was printed, paid for, and distributed nationwide. Kang’s amplification helps to push it into the center of a political debate.
Gingrich lit the fuse. Kang ignited it.
A New Phase of PressureThe combined force of Gingrich’s authority, Lee’s coverage, and Kang’s aggressive framing has moved Dr. Han’s case out of a legal silo and into an international values discussion. Koreans are now confronting a simple reality:
If the government continues on this path, the world will read it as a violation of democratic norms.
Below is an AI translation of his YouTube video transcript:
“Former U.S. House Speaker Gingrich / Explosive Remarks About Unification Church Leader Hak Ja Han / Lee Jae-myung in Chaos and Shock”
Kang Sin-eop of “Kang Sin-eop TV” Original video available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j57srEjRVJE
Hello everyone. This is Attorney Kang. You all know former Speaker Gingrich, right? He is a heavyweight in the U.S. Republican Party and a close aide to President Trump. Former Speaker Gingrich has placed advertisements in several of our country’s newspapers. And the advertisements are not ordinary. They are directly related to saving the life of Unification Church President Han Hak Ja. They are also related to the issue of religious freedom in the Republic of Korea. The message is that the Korean government must not violate religious freedom and must not leave behind a precedent that infringes upon it.
A leading American conservative politician, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, has published an advertisement in the Korean media calling for the release of Han Hak Ja, the Unification Church President. This is unusual. A former U.S. Speaker of the House and a closest aide to President Trump placed an advertisement in a Korean newspaper calling for the release of Han Hak Ja. On the 24th, former Speaker Gingrich published a print advertisement titled “The Korea–U.S. Alliance Is a Values Alliance.” Gingrich is a major conservative figure in America and a close ally of President Donald Trump.
In the advertisement, Gingrich said, “For decades, I have worked in the U.S. Congress and in public life, consistently emphasizing that religious freedom, human rights, and democracy are essential elements of global stability. In a free society, religious leaders are not arrested for their religious activities or for the way they operate their church. If that happens, it is an act that directly violates the core democratic principles of freedom of religion and freedom of conscience.” He stated this clearly.
Former Speaker Gingrich then criticized the Korean government for detaining President Han Hak Ja. He said, “This action by the Korean government appears to be direct state intervention in the legitimate activities of a religious leader. This can serve as a serious warning signal to American leaders.” He used the expression “red flag,” meaning a red warning flag. He said it can become a serious warning signal.
He continued, “President Han Hak Ja has led her faith community for decades, and her activities belong fundamentally to the religious sphere. The moment the government intrudes into this sphere, the principles of Korean democracy begin to shake.”
Former Speaker Gingrich also stated that the Unification Church has long carried out efforts to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula, ease North–South relations, foster international cultural exchange, and conduct large scale global service activities. He said that while one cannot claim there has never been any controversy or criticism, to hastily label this organization and its leader as a criminal group could be a serious misjudgment.
Former Speaker Gingrich said that the alliance between Korea and the United States is anchored in shared values of freedom, and that Korea must not leave behind a dishonorable precedent of violating religious freedom. He then pointed out that President Han Hak Ja is 82 years old and for a long time has emphasized peace, family values, and interreligious dialogue in the international community. He said that detaining such a leader raises serious concerns in terms of fairness, proportionality, and public interest.
He emphasized that detention must always be a last resort, and that when applied to an elderly religious leader, the social and humanitarian consequences must be considered with greater caution. Former Speaker Gingrich again urged the Korean government and President Lee Jae Myung to make the right decision, saying that this case is one that tests the dignity of a democratic and free nation.
Now this is something. Even a former U.S. Speaker of the House has stepped in, and the persecution and suppression of religious freedom in Korea is becoming world news. This has the potential to make Korea look like a backward country, which is an embarrassment for Koreans and could also significantly hinder Korean business activities.
Former Speaker Gingrich is practically the third highest ranking figure in the United States. He is also one of Trump’s closest aides, his mentor, and a supporter. For such a person to publish advertisements openly in Korean newspapers is no small matter. This is serious. In fact, it can be seen as open pressure.
If, despite all of this, the Korean government completely ignores it, will Gingrich simply say “oh well” and move on? Or will the United States act through various means to impose disadvantages on Korea, possibly even through Trump? Already, trade negotiations and security talks with Korea have reportedly become very tough, and some say this is because the suppression of religious freedom and political freedom under Lee Jae Myung has become a risk factor.
Now with former Speaker Gingrich placing advertisements in newspapers and calling the detention of President Han Hak Ja religious persecution, this is no small development. What do you think? Former Speaker Gingrich said that the Korea–U.S. alliance is a values alliance. This is important. It means it is an alliance of freedom and that religious freedom must be protected. Otherwise it is not a real alliance. If Korea does not uphold these values, the alliance itself is undermined.
Gingrich, a major American conservative politician and one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies, said in the advertisement, “For decades I have emphasized that freedom of religion, human rights, and democracy are core elements of global stability. In a free society, religious leaders are not arrested for their religious activities or for the way they operate their church. If that happens, it becomes a direct violation of core democratic principles such as freedom of religion and freedom of conscience.”
He said that the Korean government’s action appears to be direct intervention in the legitimate activities of a religious leader and that this could serve as a serious warning signal to American leaders. He said the United States cannot help but view this situation with deep concern.
He emphasized again that President Han Hak Ja has led her faith community for decades and that her activities fundamentally belong to the religious domain. The moment the government intrudes into that domain, the principles of Korean democracy begin to waver. Korean democracy becomes endangered.
Former Speaker Gingrich continued, saying that the Unification Church has long worked for peace on the Korean Peninsula, easing North–South tensions, international cultural exchange, and global service activities. Even if there have been controversies or criticisms, that does not justify hastily labeling the organization or its leader as a criminal group. That would be a serious misjudgment.
He emphasized again that the Korea–U.S. alliance is connected by shared values of freedom and that Korea must not leave behind a shameful precedent of violating religious freedom. Furthermore, he pointed out that President Han Hak Ja is 82 years old and has long emphasized peace, family values, and interreligious dialogue in the international community. Detaining such a leader inevitably raises serious concerns regarding fairness, proportionality, and public interest.
He said detention must be a last resort, and when applied to an elderly religious leader, the social and humanitarian consequences must be considered very carefully. He urged the Korean government and President Lee Jae Myung to make the right decision, saying that this case is a test of democracy, freedom, and the dignity of the nation.
Former Speaker Gingrich has essentially delivered a bombshell through these newspaper advertisements. He has directly and openly criticized the detention of President Han Hak Ja. The impact is expected to be substantial. The fact that Gingrich has stepped in and that he published these advertisements in major Korean newspapers can be seen as a warning to Lee Jae Myung.
What do you think? Please leave many comments.
[END VIDEO TRANSCRIPT]
Attorney Kang Sin-eop Biography
Basic Information
Name: Kang Sin-eop (Korean: 강신업; Hanja: 姜新業) Date of Birth: December 28, 1964 Place of Birth: Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea Nationality: South Korean
Attorney Kang Sin-eop
Education
Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Law from Korea University
Passed the 46th National Bar Examination
Completed the 36th class of South Korea’s Judicial Research and Training Institute
Professional Career
Opened and operated a private law practice beginning in 2007
Served as spokesperson and public relations director for the Korean Bar Association
Held various roles within the legal community, contributing to professional organizations and public legal education
Lecturer and professor in legal studies at multiple institutions
Public Profile
Prominent conservative political commentator with a significant following
Known for strong, direct commentary on legal, political, and social issues
Operates the YouTube channel “강신업TV,” which has grown into an influential platform within Korea’s political media environment
Frequently appears in media discussions, broadcasts, and online political analysis
Political and Controversial Background
Formerly associated with the Bareun Mirae Party in spokesperson or advisory capacities
Involved in several public controversies related to political influence, internal party disputes, and his outspoken style
Faced disciplinary issues stemming from allegations involving the lending of his attorney’s name for use by others
Current Relevance
Kang Sin-eop occupies a notable position at the intersection of law, media, and politics. His background as an attorney combined with his high-visibility digital presence makes him a key voice in Korea’s conservative commentary ecosystem. His channel often shapes political narratives and public reactions to major national issues, giving him influence far beyond traditional legal practice.