The Words of the Hong Family
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The Words of the Hong Family |
Sun
Myung Moon and Hak Ja Han, May 8, 2011
We must defend our Yoido Holy Land -- Our position on the District Court judgment in Yoido Holy Land trial -- To our beloved and respected leaders and members of the Unification Movement.
We would first like to express how sorry we are for the deep sadness and pain you must be experiencing after hearing the result of the district court trial over the Yoido Holy Land announced by Seoul Central District Court on July 20. We also apologize to True Parents that we are not able to offer a report of victory. True Parents, having issued a declaration containing their stern command, are now waiting for the return of this Holy Land to them so that they may directly administer it in a manner consistent with the original intent. We feel this sorrow and regret, because we know only too well what the Yoido Holy Land means to True Parents and to the leaders and members of the Unification Movement.
Donations were made in the early days of our church by people determined to contribute anything they could, even if it might amount only to the value of a single brick, for the vision of building the world headquarters on this land. Some, finding they had no other way to create funds to donate to this purpose, even went so far as to sell their blood. When True Parents would return to Korea from overseas, they would go first from the airport to this property and offer their prayers and sincere dedication. This is the importance of the Yoido Holy Land.
Y22 attempted to sell off this Yoido Holy Land in a way not reflecting the desires of True Parents and the Unification Movement, and Tongil Foundation was forced to file suit in order to stop such sales. The original contract came about under Rev. Kwak's leadership during the time he was board chairman, so we started the court case from a disadvantaged position. Many lies came to light during the course of the court proceedings, however, making our position stronger as time went on. For example, they insisted strongly in the initial phase of the trial that there was no relationship between Y22 and Rev. Kwak. During the trial, however, Pak Seung Tae (a.k.a. Pak Seoung Hun), a former Tongil Foundation board member called as a witness for Y22, testified that it was Rev. Kwak who had asked that he testify in the trial. Also, an employee of a financial institution testified that it was Rev. Kwak's second son, Kwak Jin Hyo, who worked to resolve a situation where Y22 found itself in financial difficulty.
As the trial proceeded, Y22 saw their lies being revealed one by one. So at one point, they suddenly changed their position, and began to say that everything had been reported to True Parents, that they absolutely followed True Parents instructions, and that Rev. Kwak had done nothing on his own accord. They passed all blame to True Parents. What a monstrous and absurd statement! How could True Parents give instructions to sell off buildings that were to be the world headquarters, especially after they had invested so much of their sincerity and dedication and members had poured out so much of their tears and sweat? How could True Parents have instructed that Rev. Kwak enter into a contract that was so blatantly unfair? True Parents trusted Rev. Kwak and, in their true love, left everything up to him. Rev. Kwak, however, responded to that true love with complete betrayal.
Respected leaders and members, the truth is that the successive board chairmen other than Rev. Kwak were not allowed to have anything to do with the plan to develop the Yoido Holy Land. Chairman Kook Jin Moon forcefully opposed the plan for reasons related to the development method and the lack of transparency in the ownership structure. In the end, it was Rev. Kwak who arbitrarily pushed through a biased contract. Yet, he now denies everything. He says he never allayed the concerns of members of the Tongil Foundation board by telling them the Yoido Project would be transferred to Tongil Foundation after 17 years. He says he never said that board members need not worry about Y22, because this was a company loyal to True Parents.
He obstinately insists that successive board chairmen having no relationship with him, namely Pak Hong Jo, Hwang Sun Jo, Lee Jae Suk and Ahn Jin Sun, each gave the contract with Y22 careful consideration. In fact, these former chairmen say Rev. Kwak took charge of the Yoido Project himself at all times, allowed no interference from anyone, and did not allow them to know the details of the project. Despite these facts, the lies of the other side have managed to fool the court, at least for now. We will move forward with all possible legal remedies, including the appeal trial, with a conviction that justice and truth will win out in the end.
It is a foolish person who thinks he can hide the heavens by holding up his hand. The truth will surely be revealed. True Parents have clearly stated in their declaration as follows: "We instruct Hyun Jin Moon and other members of the UCI Board of Directors, also Chung Hwan Kwak (former UCI board chairman, Hyun Jin Moons father-in-law) and his family and relatives, to return to True Parents, who are the founders, all rights related to the ongoing construction project to develop the Yoido Holy Land in Korea.
The plan will be reestablished and the development will take place on a providential dimension." If they are children of the True Parents, they will uphold this instruction immediately. If they insist on disobeying True Parents instruction, we will fight them to the best of our ability to the very end. As God and True Parents are with us, we will be victorious. We are grateful for all the help you have already given us, and ask for your continued interest and prayers.
21st day, 6th month by the Heavenly Calendar (July 21), 2011