The End of the Cold War

Sun Myung Moon
October 12, 1989
Shilla Hotel, Seoul, Korea

True Children greet True Parents at their homecoming in East Garden, November 26, 1989. True Children, from left to right: Shin Myung Nim, Shin Won Nim, Shin Gil Nim and Jeung Jin Nim

The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union has now reached the point where it can no longer continue. Events such as glasnost in the Soviet Union, the struggle for democratization in China, and the reforms in Hungary, Poland and other East European nations are similar to a revolution. It is proof that the communist system has reached its limits and that the East-West ideological confrontation is ending. In the economic field, the upcoming unification of Western Europe in 1992 is further indication of necessary changes taking place. How should Korea deal with these changes and which direction should it take?

Throughout history Korea has suffered a lot as a victim of superpower expansionism because of its crucial strategic position. The division of North and South in Korea has caused Korea to experience the global ideological confrontation within its own borders. Now that there is a movement towards pluralism and harmony in the world, it does not mean that the problems of the Korean people are automatically solved. The four major powers -- the United States, Japan, Soviet Union and China -- have interconnecting interests focused on the Korean peninsula.

Since such historical relationships and global problems are directly or indirectly connected with this peninsula, Korea is a microcosm of the world's problems. Therefore there is an inseparable relationship between the solution of the world's problems and the solution of Korea's problems. I believe that transforming divided Korea into a unified Fatherland has a direct bearing on the realization of world peace.

With the sun setting on the communist system and ideology, can we say that the Free World is in a position to offer a philosophical alternative? How will the paradoxes of the Western countries which adhere to free democracy be overcome? I have personally experienced the terrible fate of a divided people through the aftermath of the Korean War. I pledged before heaven to devote my life to the establishment of a philosophy that would lay the groundwork for North-South unification; I also pledged to prepare a worldwide foundation for it. For 40 years I have worked toward the fulfillment of these pledges.

Can it be an easy task for us to mobilize the support of the nations around the Korean peninsula for unification on the foundation of a strong philosophy of free democracy and thereby achieve peaceful unification? Would it not be fortunate if we could come up with a plan which would make Russia and China end their one-sided support for North Korea?

I have recently devoted my prayer life to Mainland China centering on the ideal of God's peace. In 1981, during the 10th International Conference on the Unity of the Sciences, I revealed a plan for an international highway and have made this plan known to the leaders of 120 countries. The highway is designed to run from Japan under the Korean Straits to Seoul, Pyongyang and Beijing. Another road would be routed to Moscow and Western Europe -- all the way to London. The other would connect to the Middle East. In Japan, 1,500 scholars and businessmen organized a tunnel research association in 1982. They are conducting political, economic, technological and geographical research and have already dug a pilot tunnel. The Chinese government is showing great interest and is in the planning stage of the 1,000 kilometer section between Dandong, on the North Korean border, and Beijing.

Even at the time when exchange with Communist China was very difficult, the Unification Movement sent many people there to help them with modernization. I have established the Yonbyon Technical College in Manchuria where we send scientific equipment every year. I am helping with exchange professors and also arranging for Chinese students to study abroad.

We are helping China through relief activities and by sending American coaches to help the development of sports in China. Also, we are giving Chinese scholars the opportunity to research Unification Thought and thereby support them in their efforts to overcome their ideological difficulties. China still stubbornly insists on communism.

I have long advocated the equal distribution of technology. Technology is a blessing from God meant for the benefit of all mankind. It is a great evil that the advanced countries monopolize technological power and put less developed countries at a disadvantage. This trend is a seed of division and disharmony threatening world peace. Therefore I have for a long time invested considerable resources in order to accumulate technological power for helping the world.

In 1976, at a big rally in Washington, DC I proclaimed that I would hold a big meeting in Moscow. Through international-class scholars, religious figures, top journalists and artists, the foundation for this is now being laid. At my invitation, one of the top editors of the Novosti News Agency, together with four other leading Soviet journalists, are currently in Korea to see this country's development for themselves. Next week they will go to Japan and I asked them to pass by North Korea. I asked them to do that so they could give a fresh impression of South Korea to the North Korean leaders and in that way prevent miscalculation by the Northern regime.

In December, journalists will go to America as my guests. At the beginning of this month the director of the world famous Kirov ballet visited Seoul and promised to assume concurrently the position as director of the Washington, DC Universal Ballet Academy that I have established.

Also there will be a seminar in Moscow jointly sponsored by the Russian Orthodox Church and the International Religious Foundation on "Church Unity." Twenty religious scholars will attend the conference.

In 10 years we will enter a new century. We have to put the 20th century, marred by division and confrontation, behind us and enter an era of harmony and understanding where high morals and values are respected. The era of domination by the West, Russia and America, is ending and the Age of Asia is dawning. Considering the important role of the Korean peninsula and Asia as a whole for the establishment of world peace, no world leader can easily ignore this area anymore but has to at least partially participate in the development in this area. With this kind of historical consciousness I have promoted plans for the Pacific era. Through the foundation laid in America, China and Russia, I am already preparing an East Asia summit conference.

Mankind is faced with the task of overcoming philosophical differences. On the basis of restored morality, he must realize the ideal of a worldwide family of love through international cooperation. All of us have to go beyond just thinking of profit and loss. With a recognition of international relations, we have to use the power of national unity to play the major role in bringing about the Asia-Pacific era.