Bo Hi Pak
Encyclopedia
Bo Hi Pak is a prominent member of the Unification Church
. During the 1970s and 1980s, he was a major leader in the organization, running projects such as newspapers (notably the Washington Times), schools, performing arts projects, political projects such as the anti-communist organization CAUSA International, and was president of the Unification Church International 1977-1991. He was a Lieutenant Colonel in the South Korean military when he joined the church in the 1950s. Serving church founder Sun Myung Moon
as his main English interpreter during speaking tours in the United States, he was referred to in the media as Moon's "right-hand man" (or similarly), such as "Moon's top deputy".
He was the central figure in Moon's publishing businesses, including founding President and Publisher, the News World (later renamed New York City Tribune); founding President
and Chairman of the Board
, the Washington Times Corporation; and President, World Media Association.
In 1977/1978, Pak testified before the Fraser Committee in its investigation of the Unification Church, commenting: "I am a proud Korean – a proud Moonie – and a dedicated anti-Communist and I intend to remain so the rest of my life." In response to the adversarial investigation, Pak wrote Truth is My Sword. Alexander Haig
commented in the introduction: "From the battlefield of the Korean peninsula to the halls of the U.S. Congress, Dr. Pak's speeches mirror the convictions of an individual whose ardent sense of justice has always been the cornerstone of his advocacy of personal freedom and democracy."
In 1984 Pak was kidnapped in New York City and held for ransom. The FBI arrested six of the kidnappers, who claimed that the crime was an attempt to change Unification Church policy.
In 1987 at a church gathering, a Zimbabwean Unification Church member who was thought by Moon to be the continuous "channel" on earth for his deceased son Heung Jin Moon
, "beat Bo Hi Pak so badly that he was hospitalized for a week in Georgetown Hospital." The Washington Post reported that "Later, Pak underwent surgery in South Korea to repair a blood vessel in his skull, according to Times executives."
In 1994, Pak visited North Korea
to attend the funeral of President Kim Il Sung, risking legal trouble by the South Korean government in doing so. In 1998 he visited again, leading a trade delegation representing Unification Church interests with the blessing of the South Korean government.
On July 20, 2004 the Eastern Seoul District Prosecutor imprisoned Dr. Pak and charged him with financial fraud because he was unable to repay his debts to Korean businessmen. In 2006, Pak was released on probation
after serving 2 years and 3 ½ months. On November 6, 2006, he sent a letter to be distributed by Unification Church publications worldwide to give an account of his experiences in prison. In the letter he wrote:
Unification Church
The Unification Church is a new religious movement founded by Korean religious leader Sun Myung Moon. In 1954, the Unification Church was formally and legally established in Seoul, South Korea, as The Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity . In 1994, Moon gave the church...
. During the 1970s and 1980s, he was a major leader in the organization, running projects such as newspapers (notably the Washington Times), schools, performing arts projects, political projects such as the anti-communist organization CAUSA International, and was president of the Unification Church International 1977-1991. He was a Lieutenant Colonel in the South Korean military when he joined the church in the 1950s. Serving church founder Sun Myung Moon
Sun Myung Moon
Sun Myung Moon is the Korean founder and leader of the worldwide Unification Church. He is also the founder of many other organizations and projects...
as his main English interpreter during speaking tours in the United States, he was referred to in the media as Moon's "right-hand man" (or similarly), such as "Moon's top deputy".
He was the central figure in Moon's publishing businesses, including founding President and Publisher, the News World (later renamed New York City Tribune); founding President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
and Chairman of the Board
Chair (official)
The chairman is the highest officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office is typically elected or appointed by the members of the group. The chairman presides over meetings of the assembled group and conducts its business in an...
, the Washington Times Corporation; and President, World Media Association.
In 1977/1978, Pak testified before the Fraser Committee in its investigation of the Unification Church, commenting: "I am a proud Korean – a proud Moonie – and a dedicated anti-Communist and I intend to remain so the rest of my life." In response to the adversarial investigation, Pak wrote Truth is My Sword. Alexander Haig
Alexander Haig
Alexander Meigs Haig, Jr. was a United States Army general who served as the United States Secretary of State under President Ronald Reagan and White House Chief of Staff under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford...
commented in the introduction: "From the battlefield of the Korean peninsula to the halls of the U.S. Congress, Dr. Pak's speeches mirror the convictions of an individual whose ardent sense of justice has always been the cornerstone of his advocacy of personal freedom and democracy."
In 1984 Pak was kidnapped in New York City and held for ransom. The FBI arrested six of the kidnappers, who claimed that the crime was an attempt to change Unification Church policy.
In 1987 at a church gathering, a Zimbabwean Unification Church member who was thought by Moon to be the continuous "channel" on earth for his deceased son Heung Jin Moon
Heung Jin Moon
Heung Jin Moon , also referred to by members of the Unification Church as Heung Jin Nim or posthumously as Lord Heung Jin Nim:, was the second son of church founders Sun Myung Moon and Hak Ja Han. At the age of 17 he died in a vehicle accident in New York State...
, "beat Bo Hi Pak so badly that he was hospitalized for a week in Georgetown Hospital." The Washington Post reported that "Later, Pak underwent surgery in South Korea to repair a blood vessel in his skull, according to Times executives."
In 1994, Pak visited North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
to attend the funeral of President Kim Il Sung, risking legal trouble by the South Korean government in doing so. In 1998 he visited again, leading a trade delegation representing Unification Church interests with the blessing of the South Korean government.
On July 20, 2004 the Eastern Seoul District Prosecutor imprisoned Dr. Pak and charged him with financial fraud because he was unable to repay his debts to Korean businessmen. In 2006, Pak was released on probation
Probation
Probation literally means testing of behaviour or abilities. In a legal sense, an offender on probation is ordered to follow certain conditions set forth by the court, often under the supervision of a probation officer...
after serving 2 years and 3 ½ months. On November 6, 2006, he sent a letter to be distributed by Unification Church publications worldwide to give an account of his experiences in prison. In the letter he wrote:
External links
- Book by James Gavin
- Messiah, a book about Sun Myung Moon by Bo Hi Pak
- Open letter to members of the Unification Church by InJin Moon
- Letter to Unification Church publications by Bo Hi Pak