Religious Persecution of Peace Activists Esclates in South Korea

by Caleb T. Maupin

The primary organization advocating for better relations between the United States and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is the Unification Church. This religious organization, with its strongly anti-communist and conservative worldview, became dedicated to the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Rev. Sun Myung Moon met with Kim Il Sung on December 6, 1991, and reconciled with him, forgiving him for his imprisonment prior to the Korean War. Moon proceeded to invest millions of dollars into joint ventures with North Korea’s state-run industries, including the creation of a car company, and opened the door for other Christian missionaries to visit North Korea, such as Rev. Billy Graham.

Rev. Sun Myung Moon reconciled with Kim Il Sung in 1991.

After the death of Rev. Sun Myung Moon 13 years ago, his widow, known as Holy Mother Hak Ja Han, continued this important work. The historic meetings that took place during Trump’s first term in office—where Trump and Kim Jong Un shook hands, and Trump became the first sitting president to visit DPRK territory—were made possible in part by the relentless work of the Unification Church under Holy Mother Han’s leadership.

Holy Mother Hak Ja Han meeting Kim Il Sung with her late husband.

The work of the Unification Church was key in setting the stage for Trump’s historic meetings with Kim Jong Un during his first term in office.

The efforts of the Unification Church to promote peace with North Korea have also led to an escalation of the persecution the church has faced over the years. The Japanese government outlawed the church and forced it to legally disband earlier this year. Now, prosecutors in South Korea are targeting the church and have compelled Hak Ja Han to meet with state authorities.

Unification Church headquarters were raided by South Korean police.

In this special video message, Rev. Damien Dunkley, who leads the church in America, lays out the details of the case and explains why it represents an example of unjust religious persecution.