# Sun Myung Moon

> Korean religious leader (1920–2012)

**Wikidata**: [Q296734](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q296734)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Myung_Moon)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sun-myung-moon

## Summary
Sun Myung Moon was a Korean religious leader and founder of the Unification Church, a new religious movement established in 1954. He was also a businessperson and writer, known for his global influence through religious, media, and political ventures, including founding *The Washington Times* and News World Communications. His work spanned religious teachings, international diplomacy, and media enterprises, leaving a lasting impact on both spiritual and secular domains.

## Biography
- **Born**: January 6, 1920, or February 25, 1920 (sources vary), in what is now North Korea
- **Nationality**: South Korean
- **Education**: Attended Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan
- **Known for**: Founding the Unification Church and establishing global media outlets like *The Washington Times*
- **Employer(s)**: Unification Church, News World Communications, *The Washington Times*, Segye Ilbo
- **Field(s)**: Religious leadership, media, business, writing

## Contributions
Sun Myung Moon founded the **Unification Church** (May 1, 1954), a South Korean new religious movement that expanded globally, promoting his unique theological teachings. He established **News World Communications** (1976), a U.S.-based media company, and launched *The Washington Times* (1982), an American broadsheet newspaper that became a prominent conservative voice in U.S. media. Additionally, he owned the South Korean newspaper **Segye Ilbo** (founded 1989). Moon’s work extended to international diplomacy, including engagements with figures like Mikhail Gorbachev, and he received the **Ig Nobel Prize** (1991) for his mass wedding ceremonies. His writings and speeches, such as those archived on platforms like *SMMQuotes*, further disseminated his ideas.

## FAQs
**What is Sun Myung Moon best known for?**
Sun Myung Moon is best known as the founder of the Unification Church, a global religious movement, and for establishing influential media outlets like *The Washington Times* and News World Communications.

**What organizations did Sun Myung Moon found or lead?**
He founded the Unification Church (1954), News World Communications (1976), and *The Washington Times* (1982). He also owned the South Korean newspaper Segye Ilbo (1989).

**What was Sun Myung Moon’s educational background?**
Moon attended Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan, though specific details about his degree or field of study are not provided in the source material.

**Did Sun Myung Moon receive any notable awards?**
Yes, he received the **Ig Nobel Prize** in 1991, a satirical award recognizing unusual or trivial achievements, in this case, for his mass wedding ceremonies.

**How did Sun Myung Moon influence media?**
Through News World Communications and *The Washington Times*, Moon created platforms that shaped conservative media in the U.S. and expanded his religious and political influence globally.

**What was Sun Myung Moon’s connection to international figures?**
Moon engaged with global leaders, including Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Soviet leader, reflecting his efforts to bridge religious, political, and cultural divides during the Cold War era.

## Why They Matter
Sun Myung Moon’s influence extended beyond religious leadership into media, business, and international relations. His founding of the Unification Church introduced a new spiritual movement that attracted millions worldwide, while his media ventures, particularly *The Washington Times*, reshaped conservative journalism in the U.S. His mass wedding ceremonies and global outreach efforts, though controversial, highlighted his ambition to unify cultures and ideologies. Moon’s legacy lies in his ability to merge spirituality with secular power, leaving a lasting mark on both religious and political landscapes.

## Notable For
- **Founding the Unification Church** (1954), a global religious movement.
- **Establishing *The Washington Times*** (1982), a major U.S. conservative newspaper.
- **Creating News World Communications** (1976), a U.S.-based media company.
- **Owning Segye Ilbo** (1989), a South Korean newspaper.
- **Receiving the Ig Nobel Prize** (1991) for mass wedding ceremonies.
- **Engaging with global leaders**, including Mikhail Gorbachev.
- **Authoring religious texts and speeches**, archived in collections like *SMMQuotes*.
- **Aliases**: Known by multiple names, including Moon Yong Myeong, Mun Seon-myeong, and San Myung Mun.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Sun Myung Moon was born on either **January 6, 1920, or February 25, 1920**, in what is now North Korea. He later attended **Waseda University** in Tokyo, Japan, though the specifics of his education, such as his degree or major, are not detailed in the source material.

### Religious Leadership and the Unification Church
Moon founded the **Unification Church** on **May 1, 1954**, in South Korea. The movement, officially known as the **Family Federation for World Peace and Unification**, became a global religious organization with followers worldwide. Its teachings emphasized family values, interfaith harmony, and the unification of humanity under God. Moon’s leadership style and theological interpretations, including his emphasis on mass wedding ceremonies (known as "Blessing ceremonies"), drew both devotion and controversy.

### Media and Business Ventures
Moon’s influence extended into media and business through several key ventures:
- **News World Communications** (founded **1976**): A U.S.-based media company that served as the parent organization for *The Washington Times*.
- ***The Washington Times*** (founded **1982**): A conservative broadsheet newspaper published in Washington, D.C., which became a significant voice in American political media.
- **Segye Ilbo** (founded **1989**): A South Korean newspaper owned by Moon, further expanding his media footprint in his home country.

These ventures allowed Moon to amplify his religious and political messages, particularly in the U.S., where *The Washington Times* became a platform for conservative viewpoints.

### International Engagement and Diplomacy
Moon’s work transcended religious and media spheres, engaging with global political figures. Notably, he interacted with **Mikhail Gorbachev**, the former leader of the Soviet Union, during a period of significant geopolitical change. These engagements reflected Moon’s ambition to foster dialogue between ideologically opposed nations, particularly during the Cold War.

### Awards and Recognition
In **1991**, Moon received the **Ig Nobel Prize**, a satirical award that recognizes unusual or trivial achievements. The prize was awarded for his mass wedding ceremonies, which became a hallmark of the Unification Church’s practices.

### Publications and Teachings
Moon’s writings and speeches were compiled and disseminated through various platforms, including:
- ***SMMQuotes***: A collection of his quotes and teachings.
- **Books and sermons**: His theological works formed the foundation of the Unification Church’s doctrine, emphasizing themes of family, peace, and global unity.

### Legacy and Influence
Sun Myung Moon’s legacy is marked by his ability to merge religious leadership with media and political influence. His founding of the Unification Church introduced a new spiritual movement that attracted millions, while his media ventures reshaped conservative journalism in the U.S. His mass wedding ceremonies, though controversial, became a symbol of his vision for global unity. Moon’s engagements with world leaders and his efforts to bridge cultural and ideological divides further cemented his role as a unique figure in 20th-century religious and political history.

### Death and Posthumous Impact
Moon passed away on **September 2, 2012**, or **September 3, 2012** (sources vary). His death marked the end of an era for the Unification Church, but his teachings and organizations continue to influence followers and media landscapes worldwide. The church and its affiliated entities remain active, perpetuating his vision of global peace and unification.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. [Source](https://www.improbable.com/ig-about/winners/)
4. general catalog of BnF
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. CiNii Research
7. Divine Principle
8. [official website](http://www.reverendsunmyungmoon.org/rev_moon_life.html)
9. Library of Congress
10. [The Rev. Sun Myung Moon, founder of The Washington Times, dies at 92](http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/sep/2/rev-sun-myung-moon-founder-times-dies-92)
11. Find a Grave
12. Library of Congress Authorities
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. [Source](https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Sun_Myung_Moon)
15. [Source](https://www.catholictimes.org/article/article_view.php?aid=314730)
16. [Handbook of East Asian New Religious Movements](https://rw-ktf.univie.ac.at/fileadmin/user_upload/i_religionswiss/The_Unification_Movement__Lukas_Pokorny_2018_.pdf)
17. Carnegie Hall linked open data