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n behalf of the Organizing Committee for the various events being produced in relation to “Foundation Day 2013,” and on behalf of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, it is my honor to welcome you to Korea.
Before Father Moon passed away in September of last year, he declared February 22, 2013 as Foundation Day, making a time of a new beginning for all of heaven and earth. He also called for the convening of high-level leaders from all fields for a World Summit. Therefore, I believe today we are fulfilling the vision and dream of Father Moon and Mother Moon.
Although Korea today is a highly developed nation with one of the world’s most dynamic and successful economies, Korea’s history has been filled with suffering. In 1950 the Korean War was fought on this land. Many, many people died. Even now, as you know, North Korea is developing nuclear weapons and has one of the largest military forces in the world stationed only a short distance from Seoul. The situation on this peninsula and throughout East Asia is quite serious. Therefore, this World Summit on Peace, Security, and Human Development is extremely important and timely.
I wish you well in all your deliberations and look forward to having an opportunity to get to know each one of you.
I believe this World Summit is only the beginning of the important work we have to do together over the next several years.
This morning we will hear from the International Chairman of the Universal Peace Federation, Rev. Hyung Jin Moon. He is the son of Father and Mother Moon. His parents have asked him to take major responsibility for carrying forward the worldwide movement that his parents established. He is the right man for the job.
He did both his undergraduate and graduate studies at Harvard University, and specialized in philosophy and comparative religion. He and his wife, Yeon Ah Lee, have five children. They reside in both the USA and Korea. Mother Moon has asked that Rev. Hyung Min Moon deliver the opening address for this World Summit. So, won’t you please join me in welcoming to the podium Rev. Hyung Jin Moon, Chairman of the Universal Peace Federation.
For more information about World Summit 2013, click here.