3rd Rally of Hope: Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Korean War

“It is thanks to the gallant and valiant efforts of these war veterans that today’s Korea is possible.”

— Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon

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On November 22, the third Rally of Hope was broadcast live from South Korea. Over 194 countries gathered virtually across the world, under the theme “The Realization of a Heavenly Unified World: Interdependence, Mutual Prosperity and Universal Values.”

The Rally was held in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Korean War and was sponsored by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF). UPF and WFWPI were both co-founded by Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon and her late husband, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon.

The Korean War broke out in 1950 and the Korean peninsula became the battleground between communism and democracy. Although the armistice was signed in 1953, a peace treaty was never signed. Dr. Thomas Walsh, Chairman of UPF, addressed in the opening remarks that “without the intervention of the United Nations Security Council that set up a Security Command consisting of a 16-nation peace force, the Republic of Korea would no doubt have fallen permanently.”

Dr. Moon, who personally witnessed the grave war during her childhood, expressed her utmost gratitude to the unforgettable sacrifice of 16 United Nations member states who had sent their own troops to defend the small nation of South Korea. She also recognized and graciously thanked the 63 nations who sent humanitarian aid, medical support and military supplies to Korea during the war.

This international event with over one million viewers gathered distinguished leaders from nine countries, including H.E. Sahle-Work Zewdw (President of Ethiopia), H.E. Mario Ponce (President of Legislative Assembly of the Republic of El Salvador), H.E. Sala Kiir Mayardit (President of South Sudan), H.E. Mahiada Rajapaksa (Prime Minister of Sri Lanka ), H.E. German Alcides Blanco Alvarez (Speaker of Columbia Parliament), H.E. Yves Leterme (Former Prime Minister of Belgium), H.E. Stephen Harper (Former Prime Minister of Canada) and H.E. Charles Range (Former member of the US House of Representatives and Korean War Veteran).

The honorable Charles Rangel, former member of the US House of Representatives and Korean War veteran reflected back on his painful memories fighting in the Korean War— “when I left Korea, I said to myself, ‘I never, never, want to return to this situation that brought so much misery and pain to me.’ But over the years, as I served in Congress and visited the great leaders in South Korea, I was able to see that the country that I left, that was reduced to ashes, hopelessness and pain, grew out of these ashes to become a symbol of democracy, freedom, and economic expansion, and [an] ally to the great United States of America.”

Two projects, led by Dr. Moon were presented in commemoration of the Korean War. The first project is to build memorials in all of the 63 nations that assisted in the Korean War, that do not yet have one. In addition, Dr. Moon introduced the official launch of the online Korean War memorial, which holds the registry of all the brave heroes who served or sacrificed their lives to protect South Korea’s freedom and democracy. On this online memorial, viewers are able to visit the various memorials around the world, as well as offer messages of gratitude.

The second project Dr. Moon announced was the establishment of an international association of artists for world peace. Dr. Moon emphasized in her keynote speech that “it is through arts and culture that we can bring unity among people around the world.” She believes that the arts serve as an instrumental shortcut to unity among nations.

For the entertainment program, the Little Angels performed a “Concert of Gratitude.” The Little Angels conveyed their heart of gratitude to the Korean War veterans with their spectacular dance performances and heartfelt song offerings, which promoted the message of uniting as one under the banner of peace. Their colorful Korean traditional clothing, fans and drums, truly highlighted Korea’s unique culture that shines brightly, despite having endured the hardships of war.