Today’s Relevance Emphasized at 71st Anniversary

Korean media outlets emphasizing huge relevance in today’s troubled world of Family Federation values – marriage, family, peace, interfaith harmony – in reports on commemoration of 71st anniversary

by Knut Holdhus, editor

A ceremony was held on 27^th May in Seoul to commemorate the 71^st anniversary of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification. Many media outlets reported about the event, held in the Cheonseung Church in Cheonwon Temple in Yongsan, a central district of the South Korean capital. 700 pastors from across the country took part together with especially invited guests.

The Namdo Ilbo reports on the same day,

“The Family Federation was founded on 1^st May 1954, at the ‘House with 3 Doors’ in Bukhak-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (now Sindang-dong, Jung-gu), and has since carried out multifaceted activities to realize the ideal of ‘One Family under God’ under the teachings of its founders, Sun Myung Moon and Hak Ja Han.”

In an article 27^th May, the Segye Ilbo writes,

“Since sending missionaries to Japan and the United States in the late 1950s, the Family Federation now operates in over 200 mission countries.”

The Joongdo Ilbo comments 27^th May,

“To commemorate the 71st anniversary, a variety of awards were presented in different categories: long service awards (including 33-year and 15-year service), recognition of churches with outstanding evangelism and blessing performance, awards for exemplary families, and a booklet competition. A ‘new start resolution ceremony’ was also held, symbolizing support and succession across generations between elder and youth pastors.”

The Namdo Ilbo pointed out,

“As Korea recorded its lowest ever total fertility rate of 0.75 last year – now considered a national crisis – the international mass Blessing ceremonies, which emphasize family values, are being reevaluated as a possible solution to declining birthrates and challenge such as anti-marriage trends and the DINK (dual income, no kids) lifestyle.”

The Joongdo Ilbo commented,

“The Family Federation is also regarded as the origin of K-Religion [See editor’s note below], having started in Korea and expanded worldwide. Believers from all over the world continue to visit Korea – considered the homeland of their faith – on pilgrimages, with visitors this year coming from Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa. A growing number of foreign believers are also settling in Korea.”

The Namdo Ilbo also mentioned the congratulatory remarks by Pastor Gil-chun Choi of Changsine Church (Presbyterian Church of Korea). According to the paper, he said,

“I thank the Family Federation for its devoted efforts in the religious peace movement over the past 71 years. The Korea Christian Clergy Association also shares the same heart and will move together toward our common goal of realizing God’s Kingdom, beyond the vision of a unified Korea.”

The Segye Ilbo quoted Guk Hwangbo, the president of the Korean branch of the Family Federation. In his commemorative speech, he said,

“This is a meaningful occasion when we for the first time since the great victorious foundation of the entrance ceremony for the Cheonil Sanctum in the Cheonwon Temple was laid, can dedicate the founding of the federation to Heaven, amid the opening of an era with a sphere here on earth of living in the Kingdom of Heaven.” He also added, “Today will be a historical turning point that reveals the status and power of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification to the world, and it will be a providential moment that testifies that our Heavenly Parent is alive and working.”

According to the media reports, the commemorative program also included congratulatory messages from Sun-jo Hwang, Policy Chair of the Central Administration of Cheonmu-won (the new international headquarters), and Kyung-deuk Yoo, Chair of the Family Federation Foundation.

There were also encouraging remarks by Yeon-ah Moon, Chairperson of the Sunhak Institute, representing Holy Mother Han, and a special performance by youth pastors and congratulatory songs.

What was then called the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity was founded on 1^st May 1954. The name became the Family Federation in 1996. The founding date 1^st May was according to our solar calendar, but recent anniversaries have been commemorated on the first day of the fifth month according to the oriental lunar calendar. It is common in South Korea to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries following this calendar.

Text: Knut Holdhus

Featured image above: From the commemorative ceremony held on 27th May 2025 at Cheonseung Church in Cheonwon Temple, Yongsan district, Seoul, to mark the 71st anniversary of the founding of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification. Photo: FFWPU

[Editor’s note: The term K-Religion (short for Korean Religion) is a relatively recent concept modeled after more familiar cultural exports like K-Pop, K-Drama, and K-Beauty, which have gained massive global followings as part of the Korean Wave (Hallyu). In this context, K-Religion refers to religious movements, spiritual traditions, or faith-based cultural phenomena that originated in Korea and are now gaining international influence.

K-Religion is about Korea becoming not only a cultural influencer but also a spiritual hub, where religious movements born in Korea are shaping global religious discourse. While not all such groups are mainstream or without controversy, their growing global presence is undeniable, and the label “K-Religion” seeks to frame that presence within Korea’s broader international cultural identity.

Groups like the Family Federation (formerly the Unification Church) have placed a strong emphasis on international missions, establishing a presence in most countries of the world. This outward-facing dynamic aligns with the global brand associated with other K-Culture phenomena.

K-Religion can function as a form of soft power, promoting Korea’s global image not just through entertainment or products but also through values like peace, family unity, and interfaith cooperation.]

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