Messenger of Peace

Photo credit FFWPU

Today marks the 29th anniversary of an epoch-making moment where the late Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and his wife Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon—cofounders of Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) and affectionately known as True Parents—visited North Korean founder and leader Kim Il Sung (1912–1994). The meeting encapsulated Rev. Moon’s lifelong work of building global peace as he turned a former enemy into a friend.

Isolated from the rest of the world since 1948, Rev. and Dr. Moon visited North Korea on November 30, 1991, embarking on an unprecedented weeklong journey throughout the country before meeting Kim Il Sung on December 6.

“I am not going to the house of my enemy, but rather that of my homeland and that of my brother,” said Rev. Moon at the time. He emphasized that he was visiting North Korea as a messenger of peace, and that the homogenous Korean people should never engage in a war against each other again. Rev. Moon also sought to bring an end to the Cold War era, as he fervently prayed about his encounter with Kim Il Sung while in Hawaii before his arrival.

“Even if the whole world hates Kim Il Sung, if I hate him, too, he cannot be saved,” said Rev. Moon, who warmly greeted Kim Il Sung with a big hug and the caring heart of a parent. This quickly established a sense of trust between the two leaders that was only possible because Kim Il Sung could feel Rev. Moon’s sincere love.

Born in war-torn Korea, Rev. and Dr. Moon were soon confronted with the tragedy of their homeland upon returning to the country. They had been separated from family members for more than four decades; and now, being on a chartered plane with six support staff, their security was of concern once more. However, their visit to North Korea went as planned, beginning in Pyongyang; followed by Kumgang Mountain; Rev. Moon’s hometown of Jeonju; and concluding with meeting Kim Il Sung at Jusuk Palace in Majon, Hamhung.

There, both leaders exchanged a letter of agreement and joint statement committing to host a North Korean–South Korean summit meeting; a peaceful resolution to the issue of North Korea’s nuclear armament; and reunions between 10 million separated Korean family members, among others arrangements. For his own part, Kim Il Sung also published Rev. Moon’s speech at an opening banquet word-for-word in North Korea’s only newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, including all references to God.

Rev. Moon’s statement, issued in Beijing, China, following his return from North Korea read:

“No one can claim more justification than I for harboring feelings of ill will against North Korea. I received severe persecution from the current government of North Korea because of my position as a religious leader and my unswerving anticommunist principles. I was tortured harshly and then imprisoned for nearly three years in a labor camp. There I witnessed the deaths of many who also had been imprisoned without cause…

Now, I have visited North Korea in my position as the founder of the Unification Church and in the spirit of True Love. True Love is love that loves even that which cannot be loved…

As I set foot in Pyongyang, my heart was as clear as the autumn sky. I did not feel that I was entering the house of my enemy, but rather that I was returning to my hometown to visit the house of my brother. I carried with me to North Korea the principle that I have always lived by, and that is to forgive, love, and unite.”

Rev. Moon’s ceaseless efforts to reunite the Korean Peninsula, culminating with meeting Kim Il Sung, brought his vision for world peace full circle to the place of his birth. Dr. Moon, the Mother of Peace, continues his peacebuilding legacy with numerous projects across the globe, including the groundbreaking international Rally of Hope and Peace Starts With Me movements drawing world leaders and citizens alike from all factions of society.

You can read more about Rev. and Dr. Moon’s visit to North Korea here. And register here for the upcoming Rally of Hope this December 5 at 6:00 p.m. EST.

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