Hyun Jin Moon

Global Peace Foundation

Moon founded the Global Peace Foundation in 2009 and is active as its chairman.

The Global Peace Foundation is an international non-sectarian, non-partisan, nonprofit organization with a stated mission to promote "an innovative, values-based approach to peacebuilding, guided by the vision that all humanity is 'One Family under God'." The Foundation's programs aim to facilitate intercultural and interreligious cooperation, strengthen families and communities, and foster a culture of service and peace.

In guiding the Global Peace Foundation's initiatives, Moon has asserted that the realization of a peaceful world requires not just a cessation of conflict, but clear insights into the causes of war and division, effective approaches to preventing and resolving conflicts rooted in universal principles and values, and a far reaching vision that uplifts free and prosperous civil societies.

Korean Unification

Moon has been involved in the campaign for Korean unification for a decade. In 2014, Moon wrote the book Korean Dream: A Vision for a Unified Korea. The book calls for greater public engagement with the unification issue through the activities of civil society organizations working in partnership with government. Shortly after the book's publication, in an interview with The Korea Times newspaper, Moon stressed that all Koreans should be interested and involved in the process of Korean peninsula re-unification. On November 20, 2014, the Korean Culture and Arts Publications recognized Korean Dream: A Vision for a Unified Korea as "Book of the Year" in the society category. An English version was published in January 2017.

In an opinion piece published in The Sunday Guardian in September 2016, Moon described the book as shifting the focus from technical questions of process to clarifying the end goal of unification. "I ask what type of new nation should Koreans aspire to establish, and what shared vision and enduring principles should guide them towards it," Moon wrote.

He presented the ancient Korean mantra "Hongik Ingan," meaning "to broadly benefit humanity," as the guiding vision for civic society in working toward unification.

In line with the blueprint laid out in Korean Dream, Action for Korea United, an alliance currently consisting of over 800 Korean civic groups, launched the One K Global Campaign committee in 2015. The committee aims to garner global support for Korean Unification through the medium of popular culture, especially K-pop. They have held two 'One K Concerts' towards that aim, in Seoul, Korea and Manila, Philippines, featuring top artists including Psy, EXO, Bangtan Boys, Shinee, and Ace of Angels.

New Models of Development

Moon has advocated the need for new development models that "bring material prosperity to all people without compromising spiritual and moral traditions," including strong family values. He has advocated the Korean development model Saemaul Undong of the 1970's for encouraging self-reliance and promoting high standards of education to strengthen human capital. At a Symposium titled, "Towards an Alliance between Paraguay and Korea" held in Luque, Paraguay, he encouraged Korean industry leaders to invest in development projects in the nation, adding that Paraguay could become a hub for industrialization, distribution and service fields in South America. In attendance was the former Korean Minister of Construction and Transportation, former President of Korea Expressway Corporation, Vice President of Woori Bank, directors of Shinhan Bank, representatives of Asia Asset Management, Korean Rail Network, and President of Il-Sung Construction Company as well as representatives of the Paraguay Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Central Bank of Paraguay.

Economic Reform

Moon has pointed out the weaknesses of the South Korean economy since 2014. At a 2015 Global Peace Economic Forum he presented a plan for economic reform to S. Korean business and government heads in preparation for peninsular unification. In a 2016 interview with The Seoul Economist Moon urged South Korean financial institutions and government policy-makers to allow everyday entrepreneurs more access to capital to stimulate the economy and create job opportunities for Koreans of both North and South.

In 2017, Moon expanded his calls for economic reform to the Southeast Asia region. At the Global Peace Economic Forum 2017 in Manila, Philippines, he said the country was ripe to play a key role, thrive economically and lead ASEAN to its full potential, leading to peace and stability in Asia. He called for "less government interference in the marketplace in line with classic liberal economic principles" and for the adoption of a "universally accepted moral ethic" by the collective society to guide the economic system.

Moon is a businessman, holding a Master of Business administration from Harvard University. He is chairman of News World Communications, Inc.

Youth Leadership

Moon encourages youth around the world to aspire for lofty aspirations that benefit the greater society, daring to achieve goals that have been deemed impossible, and taking the proper steps to make them come true.

The Global Peace Foundation triesto ensure a high degree of participation by young people in its peacebuilding programs. The Foundation annually co-organizes(with SM Cares) the Global Youth Summit in the Philippines which aims to engage and inspire young people in addressing the world's persistent problems under the theme, 'moral and innovative leadership,' attracting thousands of student leaders and young professionals.

Service For Peace

Moon founded Service For Peace in 2001. Service For Peace is an international service and educational non-government organization recognized by the United Nations. Service For Peace involves volunteers in ongoing community development programs throughout the world. Their programs are designed to further the growth and development of individuals and communities through the shared experience of voluntary service.

Equestrian

Moon was a keen equestrian and regularly competed at a young age. He went on to become a two-time competitor at the Olympics as part of the South Korean team, competing in Seoul 1988 and Barcelona 1992 Olympics.

Family

The Moon family has pursued Korean Unification for 4 generations. Hyun Jin Preston Moon's great-uncle was a prominent member of the Korean anti-colonial movement, for which he helped draft the Independence Declaration. His father, Sun Myung Moon was at the forefront of engagement with North Korea starting in 1991.

Moon and his wife Junsook are the parents of nine children.