February 5, 2013
Translated by Lymhwa Kim and edited by Krista Moon and Ariana Moon.
Press Release from Korea for Foundation Day and Related Events
The 2012 International Joint Marriage Blessing ceremony at the Cheong Shim Peace World Center in Gapyeong, South Korea
Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, widow of the late Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon, has proclaimed that that a new era for the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) will begin this month. February 21, 2013 is the day that Rev. Moon proclaimed as a “Day of Peace and Unity,” which is called Giwon Jeol, or, “Foundation Day.” On this day, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon will inherit the great achievements to which Rev. Moon devoted his life and will lead FFWPU into a new era. An event will be held in Gapyeong, in the Gyeonggi province in South Korea, and approximately 50,000 participants, including VIPs, are expected to attend. In addition, 194 nations will participate via live broadcast.
Events leading to and following Foundation Day include a Joint Marriage Blessing ceremony, a “World Summit” conference, a youth leader’s conference, an interreligious soccer competition, a multicultural festival and a performance from the Universal Ballet in Seoul and Gapyeong, South Korea.
On February 17, 2013, 12,000 people will attend the International Joint Marriage Blessing Ceremony, during which 3,500 couples (or 7,000 people) will recite marriage vows at the Cheong Shim Peace World Center in Gapyeong. The couples are arriving from a total of 60 nations and will attend this event to start “true families.” The Foundation Day ceremony on February 21, 2013 and the International Joint Marriage Blessing ceremony will be broadcast live via internet to 194 nations.
The following is the schedule of events.
Multicultural Festival
(Korea Time: February 16, 14:00-17:00 at the Universal Art Center in Seoul)
Multi-cultural families who have contributed to the South Korean society will be honored with awards, and artists from nine nations will offer congratulatory performances. This event is to wish for world peace and share in the cultures of other countries through multi-cultural families.
International Joint Marriage Blessing
(Korea Time: February 17, 10:00-13:00 at the Cheong Shim Peace World Center in Gapyeong)
This is an International Joint Blessing Marriage ceremony in which 3,500 couples will pledge the beginning of a new family. 12,000 people will gather for the event, including 5,000 guests. On this day, the couples will pledge to God their eternal marriage, transcending nationalities.
Youth Assembly and International Forum
(Korea Time: February 18, 10:00-16:30 at the Cheong Shim Youth Training Center in Gapyeong)
Youth from 10 countries will debate on the topic “What is the role of youth for the unification of Korea and to establish a freedom society?”
Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles (CARP) Assembly
(Korea Time: February 19, 10:00-16:30 at the Cheon Ju Cheong Pyeong Training Center in Gapyeong)
This four-day event will attract about 1,000 college students from around the world who will share their efforts to fix social issues through service. Participants will also attend a seminar about God’s existence.
Inauguration of the Won Mo Pyeong Ae Foundation
(Korea Time: February 20, 14:00-17:00 at the Cheon Jeong Gung in Gapyeong)
The Won Mo Pyeong Ae Foundation will be launched on February 22, 2013 by its CEO Min Ha Kim. This Foundation is to honor the will of Dr. Sun Myung Moon, who dedicated his whole life to world peace. After Dr. Sun Myung Moon’s Seonghwa, his widow Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon donated all monies given to her as condolences to establish this Foundation. The Foundation’s vision is to bring peace, educate the talented youth and work towards social contributions. At its inauguration, the Won Mo Pyeong Ae Foundation will donate four billion won (about $3.7 million dollars) in scholarships to approximately 700 scholars. Five individuals and five organizations that served the underprivileged will be awarded for their services.
Foundation Day
(Korea Time: February 22, 10:00-13:00 at the Cheong Shim Peace World Center in Gapyeong)
Broadcast live to 194 nations, this event will be attended by a total of 50,000 people at the Gapyeong Cheong Shim Peace World Center. Every participant is to wear appropriate attire, and during a choir consisting of 400 people from Japan and Korea will perform.
World Summit Conference
(Korea Time: February 23, 9:00-12:00 at the Walker Hill Hotel in Seoul)
A total of 600 former- and present Summit and religious leaders will rally for world peace and symbolically light candles and ring the “bell of peace.”
Civil Debate: “The Unification of Korea”
(Korea Time: February 23, 14:30-17:00 at the National Assembly Visitor Center in Seoul)
More than 100 people from religious movements and civic groups, as well as celebrities, and 400 onlookers are invited to this event. This event will be held to diagnose the situational change that caused by changing power structures near Korean Peninsula and find a way to facilitate the reunification of Korea.
Multi-Religious Soccer Tournament
(Korea Time: February 28, 13:00-18:00 at the Guri Wangsuk sports park in Gyeonggi province)
Religious leaders and celebrities will come together to tear down the walls between religions through a Friendship Soccer Tournament. Leaders from Christianity, Korean Buddhism (Taegojong), Islam and FFWPU will participate in this event.
Little Angels Performance
(Korea Time: February 23, 15:00-17:00 at the Universal Art Center in Seoul)
The Little Angels Children’s Folk Ballet of Korea, established by Dr. Sun Myung Moon in 1962, will give a two-hour performance to celebrate Foundation Day and the 50th anniversary of The Little Angels.
Universal Ballet Performance
(Korea Time: March 1, 15:00-17:00 at the Universal Art Center in Seoul)
The Universal Ballet, founded by Dr. Sun Myung Moon in 1984, will perform the classic ballet “Swan Lake” to celebrate the Foundation Day and the beginning of the new era.