Chapter 1 The Life of the Founder

The Korean War and Freedom from Prison

 The Korean War, which would never have occurred had Christianity in Korea accepted the providence of the Second Advent, turned out to be the most terrible in the history of Korea. The South Korean casualties of the war totaled over ten million including 150,000 killed in action, 200,000 missing in action, 250,000 wounded, 500,000 widowed, and numerous war orphans. While the South suffered the destruction of 43% of industrial facilities, 41% of electrical facilities, 50% of mines, and 33% of housing, it is almost impossible to estimate how much damage was done to the infrastructure of North Korea. There is something else too which cannot be measured in substantial terms: that it was a tragic fratricidal war that pierced to the bone marrow of the proud Korean race.

During a United Nations forces counter-attack against a North Korean army advance towards the Naktong river on 14 October 1950, Reverend Moon was freed from Hungnam prison camp. Reverend Moon then walked to the city of Pyongyang, arriving ten days later on October 24. He tried to find the disciples whom he had been raising up three years earlier during his time at the house of Grandmother Se-hyun Oak. It was during this time that he wrote the words to such holy songs as New Song of Inspiration and Blessing of Glory.

On December 2 of that year, all the citizens of Pyongyang were ordered to evacuate the city. Reverend Moon sat Jung-hwa Park his injured disciple from Heungnam prison- on the seat of his bicycle, and steered it by its handlebars. The first young member of the church, Won-pil Kim, pushed the bicycle from behind and also carried a knapsack. They wended their way south, crossing the Daedong River by boat.

 Reverend Moon's Life in Heungnam Prison