*Information about Heuksok Dong

Rev. Moon met Jesus and received the mission of the Messiah at age 15 on Easter, April 17, 1935 as he prayed on Mt. Myodu in Jungju. In the spring of 1938, he traveled to the southern part of Korea, and the Heuksok Dong area of Seoul was the first place where he lived in southern Korea.

Here, Rev. Moon stayed in boarding houses with other young men his age, and attended secondary school at the Kyungsong Commercial and Industrial School. At the time, he went by his birth name, Yong-Myung Moon. During his years here, Rev. Moon emersed himself in his school work, but also took time to contemplate plans for carrying out his messianic vision and to train himself physically.

Rev. Moon was matriculated into the Kyungsong School in the spring of 1938 with a major in electronics. During his three years here, Rev. Moon lived in six different boarding houses in the Heuksok Dong neighborhood. About two-thirds of this time, he cooked for himself rather than take advantage of house meals provided at extra cost.

He spent a great deal time here contemplating God's truth, and would often go long periods in deep thought without speaking to anyone.

He also spent much of his time praying with tears near the Han River or in the hills behind Heuksok Dong. The tears he shed were tears of love for all of humanity and for his country. He would tell people: "Anyone who does not love his country is not capable of loving God."

Rev. Moon engaged in many other activities besides his studies. At times, he would go live with the homeless poor under the Han River Bridge. Sometimes, he would go out with them to beg for food. He also worked as a day laborer digging coal in a coal mine, and hauled bags of salt in salt fields. When riding the street cars, he would try to sit next to the passenger who appeared to be the lowliest labor. Once he gave all the money that he had with him to an old man he saw begging on a street. He then lifted the man on to his back and carried him to where the man was staying.

He also taught Sunday School at the Myung-soo-dae Presbyterian Church. Throughout his stay in Heuksok Dong, he engaged in street-witnessing in places such as Hyochang Park, Changgyung won and Seoul Station. He often made statements of a prophetic nature, and it is said that his classmates and teachers considered him to be the most fearsome student in the school. Korea was under Japanese colonial rule at the time, and Rev. Moon also participated in the anti-Japanese underground movement.

In 1941, when he was 21, Rev. Moon graduated from Kyungsong School. In order to continue his studies, it was necessary that he go to Japan. So, he went to the chief of police and, with great difficulty, convinced him to issue a permit allowing him to travel to Japan and attend school there.

He left Seoul for Pusan on a train named "Hikari" at 2:10 p.m. on March 31, 1941. During this seven-hour trip to Pusan, Rev. Moon prayed to God that he was going to Japan with the determination that when he returned he would make certain that the country was set on a proper course.

In Pusan, he boarded the ship 'Shogei-maru,' which departed at 1:30 p.m on April 1, 1941. He prayed that God would protect Korea during his absence.

Excerpts from Rev. Moon's own words regarding his days at Heuksok Dong:

"During my school days, I intentionally took on a disheveled appearance and maintained a low profile in order to build a foundation toward accomplishing the aims of the vow I had made to God. Had I dressed neatly and in fashionable clothes, there would have been too many distractions in my life."

"During the seven years that I often cooked for myself, I made sure that I used cold water to cook my rice and side dishes, so that I could experience some of the difficulties endured by women."

"Even when I was on vacation, I wouldn't go home to my parents. I thought 'I have set off on this course with a strong determination, but how can I expect to succeed if I think that I can go back home any time I want?' When it was cold, I would put a light bulb next to my body and cover myself with quilts for warmth as I studied. Once, I burned myself this way. Had I been living in this way without clear goals, then the life I led would have been miserable and nothing more. Looking back on it now, though, I can see that all the difficulties I experienced then became valuable treasures for me.

 

:49-19, Heuksok Dong Seoul, Korea

:In Seoul, take bus number 84 or 84-1 to the end of the line at Joong-ang University. There, call the Heuksok Unification Church at 816-3512 for detailed directions.