As a Peace-Loving Global Citizen, the Autobiography of Rev. Sun Myung Moon

As a Peace-Loving Global Citizen is the autobiography of Sun Myung Moon, the founder of the Unification Church. It was published in 2009 in both Korean and English, by Gimm-Young Publishers of Soeul, South Korea. The book was released in South Korea on March 9, 2009 and debuted at #3 on the Business bestseller's list. It has ranked on various bestseller lists since then and was ranked 15th on the General bestseller's list as of October 14, 2009.

The book includes an account of Rev. Moon's life from his youth to his emergence on the world stage as a spiritual leader, and continue to the present; he is now 91 years old and still very active. The book is also a plea for peace. Rev. Moon has been working as a peace builder on the global level, according to Alexander Haig, former US Secretary of State and Supreme Commander of NATO.

An article in the Washington Times, which was founded by Moon in 1982 and owned by News World Communications, about the book's release was criticized by investigative reporter Robert Parry for omissions that Parry disagreed with. Parry also criticized former president George H. W. Bush, his son Neil Bush, and Senator Joe Lieberman for their participation in the event held announcing the book's release. The event featured a speech by Washington Times editor John Solomon.

Christine R. Okano in her book review at Amazon Books, wrote her impression of the Rev. Moon's book. "This is a must-read for anyone genuinely interested in peace-making. It is both practical and spiritual. I have read and re-read this book and will surely read it again. Each time I read it I find more jewels of wisdom and love from the life of Rev. Sun Myung Moon from his childhood to the present. He shares wonderful stories of experiencing God while being carried as a little boy on the back of his father, his passionate desire to feed the hungry (with substantial and innovative ways to do this) and loving as brothers the very people who tried to destroy him. The book is packed with real-life stories of principles of peace-making in action. Rev. Moon also tells about his experiences with Jesus that led him to live a life of sacrifice and devotion to God and to dedicate himself to building a world of peace. The book gives insight into the true heart of a man who has been hailed by many as controversial. It is touching and inspirational and once you start reading it, you may laugh and you may cry and you probably won't want to put the book down until you've finished it."

Man of Peace called by Jesus




Inter Press Service reported: "The Rev. Sun Myung Moon went to Washington to introduce 'As a Peace-Loving Global Citizen', his autobiography that, according to the Washington Times, recounts the joys and challenges, the teachable moments and the monumental experiences of his life - much of it spent as a spiritual leader.'

What Role Does Rev. Moon Play in Korea's Reunification?

Seeds of change planted by Rev. Sun Myung Moon decades ago are coming to fruition on the Korean peninsula despite occasional setbacks. South Korea recently accepted North Korea’s suggestion for new negotiations on humanitarian issues. Tensions on the peninsula are easing after the North aggressively bombed an island in the South and destroyed a Southern warship with a missile, both in 2010.

Although Rev. Moon was a strong anti-communist, he moved the North to consider anew many things which it previously rejected. Seeds of this 1991 visit still reverberate across the peninsula and around the world. Former Secretary of State Alexander Haig, before his death in 2010, said Rev. Moon has emerged as a great peacemaker and unifier on the world stage.

Kim Jong Il Announces Plan to Invite Rev. Moon to Return

Visiting North Korea in 1991, Rev. Moon boldly declared the North should allow families divided between North and South to be reunited, that tourism should be welcomed in the North, and industrial development be allowed there. President Kim Il Sung, in a face-to-face dialogue, agreed to all three of these proposals, as well as the denuclearization of the peninsula.

Former President of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, inspired by Rev. Moon’s comments on his role in the peaceful transition from communism, promised in 1994 that he would devote the rest of his life to projects that are for the sake of peace.

North Korea, grateful for the role Rev. Moon is playing, sent him 3 dozen roses on his recent 91 birthday, wishing him a healthy life for 120 years.

Currently observers note that the new North South negotiation topics will center on reunification of families divided between North and South and joint industrial and tourism projects. The International Committee of the Red Cross will be relied upon to broker efforts to reunite the divided families. It will also oversee tourism at Mount Kumgang and an industrial project in Kaesong. Although the sites are in North Korea, management will be by the South, while staffed by the North. All these ideas were introduced by talks between Kim Il Sung and Rev. Moon several decades ago.

Marcus Noland, co-author of the new book "Witness to Transformation" now believes dissent is increasing in North Korea. The population is skeptical of their leaders as access to vital information improves due to marketplace reforms and foreign media broadening their worldview. North Koreans defectors were surveyed in the South and it was found that virtually none believed that Kim Jong-Il's regime was improving, while a vast majority backed Korea's reunification on the terms of the US-allied South.

"Building a world of peace on the Korean peninsula is not as difficult as we may think. When South Korea lives fully for the sake of North Korea, North Korea will not try to fight the South, and peace will come naturally to the peninsula. The power that can move a rebellious child is not the fist or brute power. It is the power of love..." wrote Rev. Moon in his autobiography As A Peace Loving Global Citizen.


See Also:
In Memoriam: Gen. Alexander M. Haig., Jr., USA (1924-2010)