Sun Myung Moon (born Moon Yong-myeong) was a prominent Korean religious leader, self-proclaimed messiah, and founder of the Unification Church (officially the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity), established in 1954 in Seoul, South Korea. Born on January 6, 1920, in what is now North Korea during Japanese colonial rule, Moon grew up in a Confucian family that converted to Presbyterianism when he was ten years old. At age 15, he claimed to have experienced a profound spiritual awakening, receiving a vision from Jesus Christ instructing him to complete the unfinished mission of establishing God's kingdom on Earth. He studied electrical engineering at Waseda University in Japan before pursuing his spiritual calling. During the Korean War, he was imprisoned by North Korean authorities from 1948 to 1950 on charges of alleged espionage for South Korea, an experience he described as persecution for his faith. After his release, he fled to South Korea and formalized the Unification Church, authoring its core scripture, the Divine Principle, which blends Christian theology with Eastern philosophies and emphasizes anti-communism, world peace, and Korean reunification.

Moon's influence extended far beyond religion into business, media, and politics. He built a global empire through church-affiliated organizations, including the Tongil Group, a major South Korean chaebol, and News World Communications, which owns the conservative Washington Times newspaper in the United States, founded in 1982 to promote anti-communist and right-wing views. Moon was a vocal advocate for Korean reunification, meeting with Kim Il-sung in 1991 and facilitating dialogues. His church became notorious for its mass 'Blessing' ceremonies, where thousands of couples—often matched by church leaders—were married en masse. Moon and his second wife, Hak Ja Han, whom he married in 1960, were revered by followers as the 'True Parents' of humankind. However, his movement faced widespread controversy, including allegations of brainwashing, cult-like practices, and financial exploitation of members. In the United States, Moon was convicted of tax evasion in 1982, serving 13 months in prison, which he and supporters decried as religious persecution. Despite criticisms from deprogrammers, ex-members, and governments labeling the church a cult, Moon's network influenced conservative politics, with ties to figures like Ronald Reagan and Jerry Falwell. He authored numerous books and promoted interfaith initiatives, but his legacy remains polarizing, blending spiritual ambition with vast economic and media influence.

Moon's later years involved expanding the church's global reach, and he continued advocating for world peace until his death on September 3, 2012, at age 92 from complications of pneumonia in South Korea. His passing led to a power struggle within the church, with his wife and sons vying for leadership. Moon's life exemplified a fusion of messianic zeal, entrepreneurial drive, and geopolitical activism, leaving a complex imprint on religion, business, and international relations.