Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon: Reunification is the Only Long-Term Solution to Heal the Deep Wounds of Divided Korean Families
SEATTLE, Aug. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Between August 20-26, 2018, family reunions will take place for the first time in three years between family members separated by the division of the Korean peninsula. Since 1988, the South Korean Ministry of Unification has documented over 132,000 South Koreans who have registered as members of separated families hoping for a chance to participate in the Korea family reunions. In 2018, less than half of them are still alive, and this time, less than 100 will join the few-hour reunions in North Korea. Responding to the upcoming family reunions, UNFP Management issued the following statement regarding Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon's perspective on Korean reunification:
Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon is the author of the award-winning book Korean Dream: A Vision for a Unified Korea and leads a global movement advocating for a unified Korea. Dr. Moon believes that peaceful reunification is the only viable path to lasting peace and shared prosperity on the Korean peninsula. A Korean native, Dr. Moon grew up a child of a divided homeland. His mother and father were born in villages of what today is North Korea. Each escaped the North, crossing into the South before the border closed. Dr. Moon's family experienced firsthand the heartache of not knowing the fate of loved ones on the other side of the 38th parallel ? not seeing young family members grow up, not being present for the passing of the elders, and never meeting new family members.
Each family separation is a human tragedy, a traumatic rupture in personal histories that continues to this day. Limited family reunions like those taking place this week are always at the mercy of political maneuverings. If relations between the two Koreas become tense, the family reunions risk being called off. Even for the handful of Koreans who meet their separated family members, the joy of the reunion is mixed with the pain of renewed separation that must follow. Their time together is short, and the parting is often final. Reunification is the only long-term solution to heal the deep wounds of divided Korean families.
"The Korean people have always been one family, separated by the current 70-year division but united by their shared history, heritage and culture," said Dr. Moon. "If we do not take up the challenge to heal the wounds of division and make the Korean family whole again, we will be turning our backs on those virtues and qualities that defined our identity as Koreans."
In Korean Dream, Dr. Moon calls on Koreans in the South, the North and the diaspora to rediscover their 5,000-year-old heritage and destiny and lead the reunification effort. Rooted in the philosophy of Hongik Ingan or "living for the benefit of all humanity," Korean Dream empowers the Korean people to embrace their founding principles to build a model nation that honors the dignity and freedoms of its people, and ultimately brings "broad benefit" to all humanity.
"The final outcome for the Korean peninsula rests in the hands of the Korean people, who are bound together by a historic cultural heritage that transcends politics and ideology" said Dr. Moon. "Korean unification would heal the wounds suffered by the Korean people as a result of our unnatural division."
Dr. Moon initiated and provides ongoing leadership for Action for Korea United (AKU), an unprecedented grassroots coalition of over 900 organizations building consensus around the vision for a unified Korea. AKU is carrying out numerous initiatives to bring awareness about the importance of Korea reunification, especially to the youth of Korea. Action for Korea United has partnered with the Global Peace Foundation, EastWest Institute, and One Korea Foundation to launch the One Korea Global Campaign, which is building a grassroots Korean-led movement for Korean reunification and garnering international support for this cause.
"When we Koreans, in both North and South, look at our common history, the current 70-year division is but a drop in the ocean of centuries of shared experiences, traditions, and culture," said Dr. Moon. "To achieve unification, we must revive the core ideals that still burn deep within the Korean consciousness."
About Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon
Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon is a spiritual leader, peace advocate, and social entrepreneur. Born in Korea to a family active for Korean independence and unification over four generations, his background gives him a unique perspective on Korea's future and its global significance for peace and development. He is the founder and chairman of the Global Peace Foundation (GPF), established in 2009 and currently active in over 20 countries. Dr. Moon also founded the Family Peace Association (FPA). FPA engages individuals, families and organizations in building God-centered families as the foundation of a peaceful world. In various capacities, he works across lines of identity including culture, ethnicity, nationality and religion to foster the moral, innovative leadership necessary to resolve the most pressing issues in our world today. Dr. Moon is a recognized and knowledgeable thought leader on Korean reunification and author of the award-winning book, "Korean Dream: A Vision for a Unified Korea." To learn more about Dr. Preston Moon's background, work, and current initiatives, visit hyunjinmoon.com.
SOURCE UNFP Management
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