Editing Sun Myung Moon (section)

==CIA==
	1	1978 Congressional Investigation (Fraser Report):  ◦	A House Subcommittee on International Organizations, chaired by Rep. Donald M. Fraser, investigated Korean-American relations and released a 1978 report alleging that the Unification Church was founded in 1961 by Kim Chong Pil, a director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA), as a political tool to influence South Korean and international politics.
	◦	The report claimed the Unification Church maintained “operational ties” with the KCIA and suggested Moon’s 1974 National Prayer and Fast Committee, which rallied support for President Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal, may have been influenced by South Korean government interests.
	◦	The KCIA was established with U.S. CIA assistance post-World War II, leading to speculation that Moon’s church served as a proxy for CIA interests.

	2	Moon’s Political Activities:
	◦	Moon’s church organized pro-Nixon rallies in the 1970s, including events at Yankee Stadium and the National Mall, which some allege were coordinated with South Korean intelligence to bolster U.S. support for South Korea’s authoritarian regime under Park Chung Hee.
	◦	Moon’s ties to U.S. conservative figures, notably George H.W. Bush, who spoke at Unification Church events in the 1990s (e.g., Women’s Federation for World Peace in Japan), fueled claims of a CIA link, given Bush’s prior role as CIA Director (1976–1977). Reports suggest Bush was paid $1–10 million for appearances, raising questions about influence.
	◦	Moon’s newspaper, The Washington Times, founded in 1982, became a prominent conservative voice, reportedly receiving funding from Unification Church-affiliated sources. Some allege it served as a platform for CIA-aligned narratives.

	3	Financial and Business Connections:
	◦	Moon’s empire, including businesses like Kahr Arms and Tongil Group, was allegedly backed by Japanese figures like Ryoichi Sasakawa, a self-described fascist with ties to post-WWII CIA operations in Japan. Sasakawa’s wealth reportedly funded Moon’s activities, raising questions about indirect CIA support.
	◦	A 1997 congressional report by Rep. Fraser alleged Moon’s church was involved in bribery, bank fraud, illegal kickbacks, and arms sales, with ties to the KCIA. These activities were seen as consistent with CIA-backed anti-communist efforts during the Cold War.

The evidence suggests Moon’s Unification Church had significant ties to the KCIA, particularly in its early years, as a tool to advance South Korean political interests. The CIA’s role in establishing the KCIA and its broader anti-communist agenda during the Cold War provides a plausible context for indirect connections. His relationships with figures like Bush and the influence of The Washington Times indicate political leverage. The allegations are further muddied by Moon’s controversial persona and the church’s cult-like reputation, which invite skepticism of both pro- and anti-Moon narratives.