Editing Unification Church (section)

== Political activism ==
{{Main|Unification Church and politics}}

===Anti-communism===
In the 1940s, Moon cooperated with [[Communist Party of Korea|Communist Party]] members in support of the [[Korean independence movement]] against [[Imperial Japan]]. After the [[Korean War]] (1950–1953), he became an outspoken [[Anti-communism|anti-communist]].<ref name="moon-peace">{{cite book |last=Moon |first=Sun Myung |title=As a Peace-Loving Global Citizen |publisher=Gimm-Young Publishers |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-7166-0299-6}}</ref> Moon viewed the [[Cold War]] between liberal democracy and communism as the final conflict between [[God]] and [[Satan]], with divided Korea as its primary [[front line]].<ref>''Christianity: A Global History'', David Chidester, HarperCollins, 2001, {{ISBN|0062517708}}, 9780062517708, pages 514 to 515</ref> Soon after its founding, the Unification movement began supporting anti-communist organizations, including the [[World League for Freedom and Democracy]] founded in 1966 in [[Taipei]], [[Republic of China]] (Taiwan), by [[Chiang Kai-shek]],<ref>''The World's Religions: Continuities and Transformations'', Peter B Clarke, Peter Beyer, Taylor & Francis, 2008 {{ISBN|1135211000}}, 9781135211004</ref> and the [[Korean Culture and Freedom Foundation]], an international [[public diplomacy]] organization which also sponsored Radio Free Asia.<ref name="Korean denies influence peddling">{{cite news|title=Korean denies influence peddling|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2457&dat=19761102&id=y6kzAAAAIBAJ&pg=3422,903462|newspaper=Bangor Daily News|access-date=March 21, 2012|archive-date=June 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616141813/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2457&dat=19761102&id=y6kzAAAAIBAJ&pg=3422,903462|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Unification movement was criticized for its anti-communist activism by the [[mainstream media]] and the [[Alternative media|alternative press]], many of whose members said that it could lead to [[World War III]] and a [[nuclear holocaust]]. The movement's anti-communist activities received financial support from Japanese millionaire and activist [[Ryōichi Sasakawa]].<ref name="Give and Forget">{{Cite web |title=CAUSA/The Downfall of Communism |url=http://www.tparents.org/Library/Unification/Publications/SMM-Communism-060300/giveforget.html#chap2a |access-date=August 10, 2022 |website=TParents |archive-date=March 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307144555/http://www.tparents.org/Library/Unification/Publications/SMM-Communism-060300/giveforget.html#chap2a |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="The Resurrection of Reverend Moon">{{cite web |url=http://www.mediachannel.org/originals/moontranscript2.shtml |title=The Resurrection of Reverend Moon |date=January 21, 1992 |work=Frontline |publisher=PBS | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107084418/http://www.mediachannel.org/originals/moontranscript2.shtml|archive-date=January 7, 2011}}</ref><ref name="Sun Myung Moon Changes Robes" /> In 1972, Moon predicted the decline of [[communism]], based on the teachings of the ''[[Divine Principle]]'': "After 7,000 biblical years – 6,000 years of restoration history plus the millennium, the time of completion – communism will fall in its 70th year. Here is the meaning of the year 1978. Communism, begun in 1917, could maintain itself for approximately 60 years and reach its peak. So 1978 is the borderline and afterward, communism will decline; in the 70th year, it will be altogether ruined. This is true. Therefore, now is the time for people who are studying communism to abandon it."<ref>[http://www.tparents.org/Moon-Books/sm-gww/GWW-07.htm The Way of Restoration] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302233955/http://www.tparents.org/Moon-Books/sm-gww/GWW-07.htm |date=March 2, 2021 }}, (April 1972)</ref> In 1973, Moon called for an "automatic [[theocracy]]" to replace communism and solve "every political and economic situation in every field."<ref name="Unification Church 1977, page 122">''Sun Myung Moon and the Unification Church'', [[Frederick Sontag]], [[Abingdon Press]], January 1, 1977, page 122</ref> In 1975, Moon spoke at a government-sponsored rally against potential North Korean military aggression on the island [[Yeouido]] in Seoul to an audience of around 1 million.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8t-9yx3oG4kC&q=yoido+rally |title=Richard Quebedeaux, Lifestyle: Conversations with Members of Unification Church |access-date=October 9, 2012|isbn=9780932894182 |last1=Quebedeaux |first1=Richard |year=1982 |publisher=Erick Rodriguez }}</ref>

In 1976, Moon established [[News World Communications]], an international news media conglomerate that publishes ''[[The Washington Times]]'' newspaper in [[Washington, D.C.]], and newspapers in South Korea, Japan and South America, partly in order to promote political [[conservatism]]. According to ''[[The Washington Post]]'', "the ''Times'' was established by Moon to combat communism and be a conservative alternative to what he perceived as the liberal bias of ''The Washington Post''."<ref name="Washington Post-ghosts">{{cite news|first= Frank|last= Ahrens|title= Moon Speech Raises Old Ghosts as the Times Turns 20|date= May 23, 2002|newspaper= [[The Washington Post]]|url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A60061-2002May22|access-date= August 16, 2009|archive-date= May 25, 2012|archive-url= https://archive.today/20120525215536/http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A60061-2002May22|url-status= live}}</ref> [[Bo Hi Pak]], called Moon's "right-hand man," was the founding president and the founding chairman of the board.<ref name="Washington Times Corporation 1992">Pak was founding president of the Washington Times Corporation (1982–1992), and founding chairman of the board. [[Bo Hi Pak]], Appendix B: Brief Chronology of the Life of Dr. Bo Hi Pak, in ''Messiah: My Testimony to Rev. Sun Myung Moon, Vol I'' by Bo Hi Pak (2000), Lanham, MD: University Press of America.</ref> Moon asked [[Richard L. Rubenstein]], a rabbi and college professor, to join its board of directors.<ref name="ReferenceD">"Rabbi Joins the Board of Moonie Newspaper", ''[[The Palm Beach Post]]'', May 21, 1978</ref> ''The Washington Times'' has often been noted for its generally pro-Israel editorial policies.<ref name="wrmea.com">[http://www.wrmea.com/backissues/1297/9712060.html As U.S. Media Ownership Shrinks, Who Covers Islam?] {{Webarchive|url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20050421165328/http://www.wrmea.com/backissues/1297/9712060.html |date=April 21, 2005 }}, ''[[Washington Report on Middle East Affairs]]'', December 1997</ref> In 2002, during the 20th anniversary party for the ''Times'', Moon said: "The ''Washington Times'' will become the instrument in spreading the truth about [[God]] to the world."<ref name="Washington Post-ghosts"/>

In 1980, members founded CAUSA International, an anti-communist educational organization based in [[New York City]].<ref name="ReferenceE">"Moon's "Cause" Takes Aim At Communism in Americas." ''[[The Washington Post]]''. August 28, 1983</ref> In the 1980s, it was active in 21 countries. In the United States, it sponsored educational conferences for [[Evangelical Christianity|evangelical]] and [[Fundamentalist Christianity|fundamentalist]] Christian leaders<ref name="christianitytoday37">[http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/augustweb-only/8-6-37.0.html Sun Myung Moon's Followers Recruit Christians to Assist in Battle Against Communism] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116213303/https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/augustweb-only/8-6-37.0.html |date=January 16, 2021 }} ''[[Christianity Today]]'', June 15, 1985</ref> as well as seminars and conferences for [[United States Senate|Senate]] staffers, [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic Americans]] and conservative activists.<ref name="washingtonpost.com">[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/cult/unification/image.htm Church Spends Millions On Its Image] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901180715/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/cult/unification/image.htm |date=September 1, 2019 }}, ''[[The Washington Post]]'', September 17, 1984. "Another church political arm, Causa International, which preaches a philosophy it calls "God-ism," has been spending millions of dollars on expense-paid seminars and conferences for Senate staffers, Hispanic Americans and conservative activists. It also has contributed $500,000 to finance an anticommunist lobbying campaign headed by John T. (Terry) Dolan, chairman of the National Conservative Political Action Committee (NCPAC)."</ref> In 1986, CAUSA International sponsored the documentary film ''[[Nicaragua Was Our Home]]'', about the [[Miskito people|Miskito]] Indians of [[Nicaragua]] and their persecution at the hands of the Nicaraguan government. It was filmed and produced by USA-UWC member [[Lee Shapiro (filmmaker)|Lee Shapiro]], who later died while filming with anti-Soviet forces during the [[Soviet–Afghan War]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/07/29/movies/on-13-sandinistas-vs-miskitos.html|title=On 13, Sandinistas Vs. Miskitos|first=John|last=Corry|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 29, 1986|access-date=January 19, 2019|archive-date=October 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006170341/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/07/29/movies/on-13-sandinistas-vs-miskitos.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.envio.org.ni/articulo/3245|title=How to Read the Reagan Administration: The Miskito Case|website=Envío |access-date=January 19, 2019|archive-date=October 7, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061007070045/http://www.envio.org.ni/articulo/3245|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://fair.org/|title=FAIR|access-date=January 19, 2019|archive-date=January 11, 1998|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980111075010/https://fair.org/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40717F738590C7B8EDDA90994DF484D81 2 Americans Reported Killed In an Ambush in Afghanistan] ''[[The New York Times]]'', October 28, 1987</ref> At this time CAUSA International also directly assisted the [[Central Intelligence Agency|United States Central Intelligence Agency]] in supplying [[Contras|the Contras]], in addition to paying for flights by rebel leaders. CAUSA's aid to the Contras escalated after Congress cut off CIA funding for them. According to contemporary CIA reports, supplies for the anti-Sandinista forces and their families came from a variety of sources in the US ranging from Moon's Unification Church to U.S. politicians, evangelical groups and former military officers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 8, 1985 |title=Private Groups Report Surge in Aid to Contras |url=https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document/cia-rdp90-00552r000606200008-1 |access-date=January 3, 2023 |website=cia.gov |archive-date=January 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104074426/https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document/cia-rdp90-00552r000606200008-1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=December 22, 2016 |title='Covert' War on Sandinistas Changing Hands |url=https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document/cia-rdp90-00965r000100130050-5 |access-date=January 3, 2023 |website=cia.gov |archive-date=January 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104074426/https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document/cia-rdp90-00965r000100130050-5 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Anderson |first=Jack |date=August 16, 1984 |title=CIA, Moonies Cooperate in Sandinista War |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP90-00806R000100200028-8.pdf |access-date=January 3, 2023 |archive-date=January 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104071347/https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP90-00806R000100200028-8.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McGill |first=Peter |date=October 15, 2022 |title=The Dark Shadow Cast by Moon Sun Myung's Unification Church and Abe Shinzo |url=https://apjjf.org/2022/17/McGill.html |access-date=November 26, 2022 |website=The Asia-Pacific Journal |archive-date=November 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127040829/https://apjjf.org/2022/17/McGill.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1980, members in Washington, D.C., disrupted a protest rally against the United States [[military draft]].<ref>[http://digitalnewspapers.libraries.psu.edu/Default/Skins/BasicArch/Client.asp?Skin=BasicArch&&AppName=2&enter=true&BaseHref=DCG/1980/03/24&EntityId=Ar01600 30,000 participate in anti-draft rally in Washington] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916022431/http://digitalnewspapers.libraries.psu.edu/Default/Skins/BasicArch/Client.asp?Skin=BasicArch&&AppName=2&enter=true&BaseHref=DCG%2F1980%2F03%2F24&EntityId=Ar01600 |date=September 16, 2016 }}, ''Daily Collegian'', March 24, 1980</ref> In 1981, the [[Appellate court|Appellate Division]] of [[New York State]] [[New York Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] ruled that the HSA–UWC was not entitled to [[property tax]] [[Tax exemption|exemptions]] on its [[New York City]] properties since its primary purpose was political, not [[Religion|religious]].<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1981/05/07/nyregion/moon-s-sect-is-taxable-court-rules.html Moon's Sect Is Taxable, Court Rules] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718205721/https://www.nytimes.com/1981/05/07/nyregion/moon-s-sect-is-taxable-court-rules.html |date=July 18, 2018 }}, ''[[The New York Times]]'', May 7, 1981</ref> In 1982, the New York Court of Appeals (the state's highest court) overturned that ruling and held instead that HSA-UWC should be considered a religious organization for tax purposes.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130131154150/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/664337582.html?dids=664337582:664337582&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=May+06,+1982&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=N.Y.+Upholds+Tax+Exemption+for+'Moonies'&pqatl=google N.Y. Upholds Tax Exemption for 'Moonies'], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', May 6, 1982</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Briggs |first=Kenneth A. |date=1982-05-07 |title=UNIFICATION CHURCH RULED ELIGIBLE FOR TAX EXEMPTION BARRED BY CITY |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/07/nyregion/unification-church-ruled-eligible-for-tax-exemption-barred-by-city.html |access-date=2026-03-07 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In 1983, some American members joined a public protest against the [[Soviet Union]] in response to its shooting down of [[Korean Airlines Flight 007]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/29/PK2812ETF2.DTL |title=Police chief dies at ballgame |last=Miller |first=Johnny |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=September 3, 1983 |quote=For a second day, the Soviet Consulate in Pacific Heights was the scene of emotional protests against the shooting down of a Korean Air Lines jumbo jet. About 300 people held demonstration yesterday morning. Among them were members of the Unification Church, or "Moonies," whose founder is the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the South Korean who has melded a fierce anti-communism into his ideology. Eldridge Cleaver, the onetime black radical who recently has had ties with the Moonies, spoke at the rally. Many pickets carried signs accusing the Soviet Union of murdering the 269 passengers and crew aboard the airliner. In another development, San Francisco attorney Melvin Belli filed a $109 billion lawsuit against the Soviet Union on behalf of the 269 victims. |access-date=July 18, 2018 |archive-date=November 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112022354/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2008%2F08%2F29%2FPK2812ETF2.DTL |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1984, the HSA–UWC founded the Washington Institute for Values in Public Policy, a Washington, D.C. [[think tank]] that underwrites conservative-oriented research and seminars at [[Stanford University]], the [[University of Chicago]] and other institutions.<ref name="Church Spends Millions On Its Image">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/cult/unification/image.htm |title=Church Spends Millions On Its Image |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |last=Isikoff |first=Michael |date=September 17, 1984 |access-date=September 14, 2022 |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901180715/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/cult/unification/image.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In the same year, member [[Dan Fefferman]] founded the [[International Coalition for Religious Freedom]] ([[International Coalition for Religious Freedom|ICRF]] Japanese name: 国際宗教自由連合<ref name="国際宗教自由連合">{{Cite web|url=https://icrfjapan.org/|title=ICRF-JAPAN 国際宗教自由連合|date=December 13, 2024|website=ICRF-JAPAN 国際宗教自由連合}}</ref>) in [[Virginia]], which is active in protesting what it considers to be threats to [[religious freedom]] by governmental agencies.<ref name="Ribadeneira-ire">{{cite news |last=Ribadeneira |first=Diego |title=Ire at school Star of David ruling unites ACLU, Pat Robertson |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |page=B2 |date=August 21, 1999}}</ref> In August 1985, the [[Professors World Peace Academy]], an organization founded by Moon, sponsored a conference in [[Geneva]] to debate the theme "The situation in the world after the fall of the communist empire."<ref name="goliath.ecnext.com">[http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-14440148/Projections-about-a-post-Soviet.html Projections about a post-Soviet world-twenty-five years later.] // Goliath Business News</ref> After the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]] in 1991 the Unification movement promoted extensive missionary work in Russia and other former Soviet nations.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Carden |first1=Paul |title=Cults and New Religious Movements in the Former Soviet Union |date=Summer 1998 |url=http://eastwestreport.org/articles/ew06301.htm |website=eastwestreport.org |access-date=October 23, 2022 |archive-date=October 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023001502/http://eastwestreport.org/articles/ew06301.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Korean unification ===
In 1991, Moon met with [[Kim Il Sung]], the North Korean president, to discuss ways to achieve peace on the [[Korean Peninsula]], as well as on [[international relations]], tourism and other topics.<ref name="ReferenceF">[https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/15/world/asia/15moon.html At Time of Change for Rev. Moon Church, a Return to Tradition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112013238/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/15/world/asia/15moon.html |date=January 12, 2021 }} // The New York Times, October 14, 2009</ref> In 1992, Kim gave his first and only interview with the Western news media to ''Washington Times'' reporter [[Josette Sheeran]], who later became executive director of the [[United Nations World Food Programme]].<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/11/world/americas/11sheeran.html?pagewanted=all A Desire to Feed the World and Inspire Self-Sufficiency] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124090602/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/11/world/americas/11sheeran.html?pagewanted=all |date=November 24, 2020 }}, ''The New York Times'', August 11, 2007</ref> In 1994, Moon was officially invited to Kim's funeral, in spite of the absence of [[diplomatic relations]] between North Korea and South Korea.<ref name="mk 뉴스 — 金장례식에 日여자마술사 초청한 까닭">{{cite web|url=http://news.mk.co.kr/newsRead.php?year=2011&no=822668|title=金장례식에 日여자마술사 초청한 까닭|last1=임 |first1=상균 |last2=김 |first2=규식|website=[[Maeil Business Newspaper]]|date=December 21, 2011|access-date=January 19, 2019|archive-date=November 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106202715/http://news.mk.co.kr/newsRead.php?year=2011&no=822668|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1998, Unification movement-related businesses launched operations in North Korea with the approval of the government of South Korea, which had prohibited business relationships between North and South before.<ref name="nyt1998">{{cite news | last =Kirk | first =Don | title =Reverend Moon's Group Wants to Talk Investment : Seoul Nods At Church's Foray North | work =[[The New York Times]] | url =https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/02/business/worldbusiness/02iht-unite.t.html | date =May 2, 1998 | access-date =April 26, 2018 | archive-date =March 6, 2016 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20160306174800/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/02/business/worldbusiness/02iht-unite.t.html | url-status =live }}</ref> In 2000, the church-associated business group [[Tongil Group]] founded [[Pyeonghwa Motors]] in the North Korean port of [[Nampo]], in cooperation with the North Korean government.<ref name="Kirk">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/16/business/worldbusiness/16iht-moon.2.t.html | work=[[The New York Times]] | first=Don | last=Kirk | title=Church Reaches Across Border in Korea Car Venture : Moon's Northward Push | date=February 16, 2000 | access-date=April 26, 2018 | archive-date=March 23, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323014840/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/16/business/worldbusiness/16iht-moon.2.t.html | url-status=live }}</ref> During the presidency of [[George W. Bush]], [[Dong Moon Joo]], a Unification movement member and then president of ''The Washington Times'', undertook unofficial diplomatic missions to North Korea in an effort to improve its relationship with the United States.<ref name="beast2712">[http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/02/07/the-bush-administration-s-secret-link-to-north-korea.html The Bush Administration's Secret Link to North Korea] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909054856/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/02/07/the-bush-administration-s-secret-link-to-north-korea.html |date=September 9, 2016 }}, Aram Roston, ''[[The Daily Beast]]'', February 7, 2012</ref> Joo was born in North Korea and is a citizen of the United States.<ref name="yonhap122611">[http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2011/12/26/79/0401000000AEN20111226008351315F.HTML Unification Church president on condolence visit to N. Korea] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305023157/http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2011/12/26/79/0401000000AEN20111226008351315F.HTML |date=March 5, 2016 }}, ''[[Yonhap News Agency]]'', December 26, 2011</ref>

In 2003, Korean Unification Movement members started a [[political party]] in South Korea. It was named The Party for God, Peace, Unification and Home. In its inauguration declaration, the new party said it would focus on preparing for [[Korean reunification]] by educating the public about God and peace.<ref name="iol.co.za" /> Moon was a member of the Honorary Committee of the [[Ministry of Unification|Unification Ministry]] of the Republic of Korea.<ref name="ìžìœ ê²Œì‹œíŒ" /> Church member Jae-jung Lee was a Unification Minister of South Korea.<ref name="News.mk.co.kr" />

In 2010, in Pyongyang, to mark the 20th anniversary of Moon's visit to Kim Il Sung, ''[[de jure]]'' [[List of heads of state of North Korea|head of state]] [[Kim Yong-nam]] hosted Moon's son [[Hyung Jin Moon]], then the president of the Unification Church, in his [[official residence]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://well.hani.co.kr/72907|script-title=ko:문선명은 김정일 사망 알았나|website=Hani|access-date=January 19, 2019|archive-date=February 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203100705/http://well.hani.co.kr/72907|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="sonofuni">{{cite web |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-son-of-unification-church-founder-visits-nkorea-2011dec15-story.html |title=Son of Unification Church founder meets with senior North Korean official in Pyongyang |work=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] |via=[[The Associated Press]] |date=December 15, 2011 |access-date=August 6, 2018}}</ref> At that time, Hyung Jin Moon donated 600 tons of flour to the children of [[Jeongju]], the birthplace of Sun Myung Moon.<ref name="english.yonhapnews.co.kr">{{cite web|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20111130005000315|title=S. Korea says food aid reached intended beneficiaries in N. Korea|last=김|first=광태|date=November 30, 2011|website=[[Yonhap News Agency]]|access-date=January 19, 2019|archive-date=January 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120043149/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20111130005000315|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.kbs.co.kr/culture/2011/12/16/2405386.html |title=Kbs News |publisher=Sports.kbs.co.kr |access-date=May 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525154632/http://sports.kbs.co.kr/culture/2011/12/16/2405386.html |archive-date=May 25, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2012, Moon was posthumously awarded North Korea's [[National Reunification Prize]].<ref name="kcna.co.jp">{{citation|title=Moon Sun Myung Awarded National Reunification Prize|url=http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/2012/201209/news07/20120907-10ee.html|date=September 7, 2012|access-date=September 13, 2012|periodical=Korean Central News Agency|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729213236/http://www.kcna.co.jp/item/2012/201209/news07/20120907-10ee.html|archive-date=July 29, 2014}}</ref> On the first anniversary of Moon's death, [[Chairman of the Workers' Party of Korea|North Korean chairman]] [[Kim Jong Un]] expressed condolences to Han and the family, saying: "Kim Jong Un prayed for the repose of Moon, who worked hard for national concord, prosperity and reunification and world peace."<ref name="globalpost.com">[http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/yonhap-news-agency/130820/n-korean-leader-extends-condolences-over-1-yr-anniversary-un North Korean leader extends condolences over 1 yr anniversary of Unification Church founder death] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825010223/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/yonhap-news-agency/130820/n-korean-leader-extends-condolences-over-1-yr-anniversary-un |date=August 25, 2013 }}, ''Yonhap News'', August 20, 2013</ref> In 2017, the Unification Church sponsored the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP) – headed by former prime minister of [[Nepal]] [[Madhav Kumar Nepal]] and former minister of peace and reconstruction [[Ek Nath Dhakal]] – visited Pyongyang and had constructive talks with the [[Korean Workers' Party]].<ref name="tehrantimes.com">[https://web.archive.org/web/20171114142853/http://www.tehrantimes.com/news/418259/A-Proposal-for-a-joint-mission-to-North-Korea A Proposal for a Joint Mission to North Korea], [[Tehran Times]], November 6, 2017</ref> In 2020 the movement held an in-person and virtual rally for Korean unification which drew about one million attendees.<ref name="ReferenceI" />

===Other political positions===
{{Main|Unification Church and politics}}

Moon was a member of the Honorary Committee of the [[Unification Ministry]] of the Republic of Korea.<ref name="ìžìœ ê²Œì‹œíŒ">{{cite web |url=http://www.unikorea.go.kr/CmsWeb/viewPage.req?idx=PG0000000117&boardDataId=BD0000204685&CP0000000002_BO0000000041_Action=boardView&CP0000000002_BO0000000041_ViewName=board/BoardView&curNum=350 |script-title=ko:자유게시판 |publisher=[[Ministry of Unification]] |access-date=May 23, 2012 |archive-date=September 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914171040/http://www.unikorea.go.kr/CmsWeb/viewPage.req?idx=PG0000000117&boardDataId=BD0000204685&CP0000000002_BO0000000041_Action=boardView&CP0000000002_BO0000000041_ViewName=board/BoardView&curNum=350 |url-status=live }}</ref> The church member Jae-jung Lee had been once a unification minister of South Korea.<ref name="News.mk.co.kr">{{cite web|url=http://news.mk.co.kr/newsRead.php?sc=30000004&cm=%EC%A0%95%EC%B9%98%C2%B7%EC%82%AC%ED%9A%8C%20%EB%A9%94%EC%9D%B8&year=2006&no=565503&selFlag=&relatedcode=&wonNo=&sID=302 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224050855/http://news.mk.co.kr/newsRead.php?sc=30000004&cm=%EC%A0%95%EC%B9%98%C2%B7%EC%82%AC%ED%9A%8C%20%EB%A9%94%EC%9D%B8&year=2006&no=565503&selFlag=&relatedcode=&wonNo=&sID=302 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 24, 2014 |script-title=ko:정치·사회 메인 |publisher=News.mk.co.kr |date=December 28, 2006 |access-date=May 23, 2012}}</ref> Another, [[Ek Nath Dhakal]], is a member of the [[Nepalese Constituent Assembly]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.can.gov.np/en/ca_members/view/48|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302151043/http://www.can.gov.np/en/ca_members/view/48|url-status=dead|title=Nepalese Constituent Assembly|archivedate=March 2, 2012}}</ref> and the first Minister for Co-operatives and Poverty Alleviation Ministry of the Government of Nepal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=35256 |title=News in Nepal: Fast, Full & Factual |publisher=Myrepublica.Com |date=May 19, 2012 |access-date=September 4, 2012 |archive-date=March 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325060436/http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=35256 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2016, a study sponsored by the [[Unification Theological Seminary]] found that American members were divided in their choices in the [[2016 United States presidential election]], with the largest bloc supporting Senator [[Bernie Sanders]].<ref name="Unificationists in the Voting Booth">{{Cite web |url=https://appliedunificationism.com/2016/09/26/unificationists-in-the-voting-booth/ |title=Unificationists in the Voting Booth |date=September 26, 2016 |access-date=July 18, 2018 |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125100551/https://appliedunificationism.com/2016/09/26/unificationists-in-the-voting-booth/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Hak Ja Han]] has been acting as a leader and public spokesperson for the movement. In 2019, she spoke at a rally in Japan and called for greater understanding and cooperation between the [[Pacific Rim]] nations.<ref>{{cite news | title = Hak Ja Han Moon calls for South Korea Japan Solidarity | work = [[The Washington Times]] | date = October 6, 2019 | url = https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/oct/6/hak-ja-han-moon-calls-south-korea-japan-unity-univ/ | access-date = December 18, 2020 | archive-date = July 27, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200727092829/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/oct/6/hak-ja-han-moon-calls-south-korea-japan-unity-univ/ | url-status = live }}</ref> In 2020, she spoke at a UPF-sponsored in-person and virtual rally for Korean unification, which drew about one million attendees.<ref name="ReferenceI">''[[The Washington Times]]'', November 22, 2020, [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/nov/22/rally-hope-draws-million-attendees-seeking-korean-/ Rally for Hoope Draws Million Attendees] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129052355/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/nov/22/rally-hope-draws-million-attendees-seeking-korean-/ |date=November 29, 2020 }}</ref> In 2020 former [[Secretary General of the United Nations]] [[Ban Ki-moon]] received the [[Sunhak Peace Prize]], which is sponsored by the Unification Church and an award of {{USD|1,000,000|long=no}}.<ref>''[[Khmer Times]]'': [https://www.khmertimeskh.com/648786/three-leaders-chosen-to-receive-sunhak-peace-prize-awards/ "Three leaders chosen to receive Peace Prize"]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://bankimooncentre.org/co-chair-ban-ki-moons-acceptance-speech-sunhak-peace-prize |title=Ban Ki-Moon Centre : "Co-chair Ban Ki-moon's acceptance speech for Sunhak Peace Prize" |access-date=September 14, 2021 |archive-date=September 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914124114/https://bankimooncentre.org/co-chair-ban-ki-moons-acceptance-speech-sunhak-peace-prize |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2021, [[Donald Trump]] and [[Shinzo Abe]] gave speeches at the Rally of Hope event hosted by an affiliate of the Unification Church.<ref>[[Yeonhap]] News â€" [https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20210912043000005 Trump: "My greatest achievement during my presidency was contributing to the construction of a new path between the two Koreas."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914110158/https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20210912043000005|date=September 14, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-moonies-unification-church-hak-ja-han-moon-christofascist_n_613ec306e4b0640100a6884c |title=Huffington Post: "Trump hails Unification Church" |work=HuffPost |date=September 13, 2021 |access-date=September 14, 2021 |archive-date=September 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914083824/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-moonies-unification-church-hak-ja-han-moon-christofascist_n_613ec306e4b0640100a6884c |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-moonies-speech-unifaction-church-b1918750.html|work=The Independent|title=Trump gives virtual speech to event linked to controversial religious "cult" on 9/11 anniversary|first=Alex|last=Woodward|date=September 21, 2021|access-date=July 18, 2022|archive-date=July 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708092238/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-moonies-speech-unifaction-church-b1918750.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://newsday.co.tt/2021/09/13/carmona-trump-call-for-korean-reunification/ |title=Trinidad and Tobago Newsday: "Carmona, Trump call for Korean reunification" |date=September 13, 2021 |access-date=September 14, 2021 |archive-date=September 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918061218/http://newsday.co.tt/2021/09/13/carmona-trump-call-for-korean-reunification/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Akahata |date=October 14, 2006 |title=Prime Minister Abe sent congratulatory telegrams to Unification Church |url=https://www.japan-press.co.jp/2006/2499/cult.html |website=[[Japan Press Weekly]] |access-date=September 15, 2021 |archive-date=April 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407060631/https://www.japan-press.co.jp/2006/2499/cult.html |url-status=live }}</ref> {{As of|2022|08}}, five ministers of the [[Cabinet of Japan]] had relationships with the Unification Church, including the [[Minister of Health, Labour, and Welfare]] and the head of the [[Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/23/japan-pm-fumio-kishida-popularity-dives-unification-church|title=Japan PM's popularity dives over party links to Unification church|first=Justin|last=McCurry|date=August 23, 2022|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>