UPF Founder Says Peace is Close Despite Renewed Tensions on Korean Peninsula

Michael Balcomb
November 24, 2010
Communications Director for the Universal Peace Federation (UPF)

NEW YORK: Despite the sudden outbreak of renewed hostilities between the two Koreas, Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Founder Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon has reiterated his firm belief that a new era of lasting peace is close at hand. His confident prediction came at the conclusion of the UPF World Assembly 2010, which drew a crowd of over 3,000 at the Manhattan Center in New York.

"We are living in a historic time of great transition," Dr. Moon said. "It is a time for a great revolution to change history, to unite the spiritual and physical worlds and to create the ideal kingdom of heaven that God has longed for since the beginning of time."

Back in April, when the South Korean navy ship Cheonan was sunk by an alleged North Korean torpedo attack, Rev. Moon called for restraint in a tour of major Korean cities, and held special Seunghwa ascension services for the 46 South Korean sailors killed in that attack.

"Ultimately, the problems afflicting humanity can only be resolved through an ideology based on the true love of God," he said. "At the same time, we must be concerned to liberate the grieving heart of God, the heavenly parent who lost his beloved children. How many of you have spent days and nights in tears, yearning to comfort our Father in Heaven?"

Rev. In Jin Moon, President and CEO of the Unification Church opened the program by urging those gathered to become the new "peace generation" the world needs. Georgia State Senator Donzella James called for a return to traditional values and affirmed UPF's commitment to marriage and family.

Dr. Hyung Jin Moon, who serves as the UPF International Chairman, spoke not only of the need for interfaith dialogue and cooperation, but insisted that spiritual values must serve as the foundation for good governance and harmonious international relations, referring to his father's call for an interfaith council at the United Nations.

Dr. Hussein Hassouna, the Ambassador of the League of Arab States to the United States was a featured speaker. He commented on the importance of the UPF's Middle East Peace Initiative, launched in 2003 to work for reconciliation despite deep historic resentments. "I know that resolving the situation in Palestine with justice, equality and fairness, to the betterment of both sides, has long been a goal of the UPF, as it is of us all," he said. "Yet such an outcome cannot come solely through political, diplomatic and economic efforts. It will need the application of universal principles that help all the parties go beyond the artificial barriers and boundaries that have been created by race, religion and nationality."

Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury, the former UN Undersecretary-General who served two terms as President of the UN Security Council applauded the UPF's vision of UN renewal. "Tonight's gathering, with representatives of 194 nations seated in conference, supported by the prayers of religious leaders of every faith and creed, and watched over by thousands of observers, is truly a model of what a Peace UN should and could be," he said. Chowdhury has been successfully campaigning within the UN and the NGO community for the adoption of a Decade for the Culture of Peace.

Many in the audience said they left with a renewed hope for peace. New York professor, author and ethicist Dr. Lucinda Mosher observed "It was truly uplifting and respectful of all faiths, and I fully support the understanding that the United Nations will only be able to fulfill its mission by putting God and faith at the center." United Methodist pastor Dr. Luonne Rouse agreed. "Father Moon is speaking with absolute commitment, revealing the pure truth without hesitation," he said. "We must let the world know about this critical and opportune moment."