MOON, Sun Myung

Sun Myung Moon (January 6, 1920 – September 3, 2012) was a Korean religious leader who founded the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity, commonly known as the Unification Church, in Seoul in 1954. Moon claimed to have received divine revelations beginning at age 16, when Jesus Christ allegedly appeared to him and commissioned him to complete the redemptive mission that Jesus had been unable to finish.

Moon's theology, outlined in his book *Divine Principle*, teaches that Jesus failed to achieve full salvation because he was crucified before marrying and producing sinless children. According to Unification doctrine, Moon and his wife Hak Ja Han were the "True Parents" sent by God to establish the "ideal family" and restore humanity to its original sinless state through mass wedding ceremonies called "Blessings."

The Unification Church expanded internationally in the 1970s, attracting controversy for its aggressive recruitment practices and allegations of brainwashing. Members, often called "Moonies" by critics, engaged in intensive fundraising activities and lived in communal arrangements under strict supervision. Moon's organization faced criminal prosecution in multiple countries, with Moon himself serving 13 months in U.S. federal prison for tax fraud in 1984-1985.

Beyond religious activities, Moon built a global business empire including newspapers (*The Washington Times*), universities, and manufacturing companies. He used his wealth to fund political causes and establish relationships with world leaders, promoting his vision of global unification under divine authority through organizations like the Universal Peace Federation.