Sun Myung Moon (Sun Myung Moon)

Sun Myung Moon

Sun Myung Moon (Korean 문선명; born Mun Yong-myeong; 25 February 1920 – 3 September 2012) was a Korean religious leader, businessperson, political activist, and media mogul. A self-proclaimed messiah, he was the founder of the Unification Church and of its widely noted “Blessing” or mass wedding ceremony. His business interests included News World Communications, an international news media corporation which founded The Washington Times and owns other media in several countries, and Tongil Group, a South Korean business group (chaebol) active in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, tourism, and publishing.

Born in what is now North Korea, Moon’s family converted to Christianity when he was a child. In 1954, he founded the Unification Church in Seoul, South Korea based on conservative, family-oriented teachings from new interpretations of the Bible. He outlined these principles in his book, Explanation of the Divine Principle. In the 1960s and 1970s, he was a leading figure in a wave of new religious movements that raised controversy on several issues. Followers, who were then sometimes called “Moonies”, considered him their True Father while critics labeled him a cult leader. In 1982, he was charged by the United States government with willfully filing false federal income tax returns, found guilty in a jury trial, and sentenced to 18 months in federal prison. His case generated some protests from clergy and civil libertarians. (See:United States v. Sun Myung Moon)

Determined to spread his influence beyond religion and improve the church’s image with the public, Moon became active in conservative politics, courted world leaders, founded numerous civic organizations and expanded his business interests and affiliated organizations. An ardent anti-communist and advocate for Korean reunification, his support helped turn The Washington Times into a respected newspaper in conservative circles.

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  • Obit Sun Myung Moon - Rev Sun Myung Moon...FILE - In this Saturday, June 25, 2005 file photo, Unification Church leader Rev. Sun Myung Moon speaks during his

  • Moon 3 -

Born

  • February, 25, 1920
  • North P'yŏng'an Province, North Korea

Died

  • September, 03, 2012
  • Gapyeong, South Korea

Other

  • Buried at his home on Cheongseung Mountain, South Korea.

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