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| Funeral held for 'Moonie' Church founder Sun Myung Moon | Funeral held for 'Moonie' Church founder Sun Myung Moon |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Tens of thousands of mourners are attending the funeral in South Korea of religious leader Sun Myung Moon. | Tens of thousands of mourners are attending the funeral in South Korea of religious leader Sun Myung Moon. |
| The founder of the Unification Church, who died this month aged 92, is being buried near the church's headquarters in the resort of Gapyeong. | The founder of the Unification Church, who died this month aged 92, is being buried near the church's headquarters in the resort of Gapyeong. |
| The church, which was founded at the end of the Korean war and claims millions of members worldwide, became famous for its mass wedding ceremonies. | The church, which was founded at the end of the Korean war and claims millions of members worldwide, became famous for its mass wedding ceremonies. |
| But it was also accused of brainwashing converts, often known as "Moonies". | But it was also accused of brainwashing converts, often known as "Moonies". |
| Church officials said about 35,000 mourners were expected to attend the funeral, including 15,000 from overseas. | Church officials said about 35,000 mourners were expected to attend the funeral, including 15,000 from overseas. |
| The main ceremony is being held in a large covered stadium, where wreaths of flowers have been laid. | The main ceremony is being held in a large covered stadium, where wreaths of flowers have been laid. |
| The Unification Church also developed a global business empire, setting up newspapers, arms factories, universities and food distributors. | The Unification Church also developed a global business empire, setting up newspapers, arms factories, universities and food distributors. |
| Moon, who had been suffering from pneumonia, died on 3 September at a hospital in Gapyeong, north-east of the capital, Seoul. | Moon, who had been suffering from pneumonia, died on 3 September at a hospital in Gapyeong, north-east of the capital, Seoul. |
| He was born in 1920 in Pyongyang province in what is now North Korea, and established the Church in a refugee camps in 1954, saying he had been asked by Jesus to set up God's kingdom on Earth. | He was born in 1920 in Pyongyang province in what is now North Korea, and established the Church in a refugee camps in 1954, saying he had been asked by Jesus to set up God's kingdom on Earth. |
| Moon denied allegations of brainwashing, but spent 11 months in jail in the US - where he moved in the early 1970s - after being convicted of tax evasion in 1982. | Moon denied allegations of brainwashing, but spent 11 months in jail in the US - where he moved in the early 1970s - after being convicted of tax evasion in 1982. |
| He returned to South Korea in 2006, leaving his religious and business empire in the hands of some of his 14 children. | He returned to South Korea in 2006, leaving his religious and business empire in the hands of some of his 14 children. |
| He forged ties with North Korea, meeting founder Kim Il-sung in 1991 and sending a delegation to pay respects after the death of Kim Jong-il. | He forged ties with North Korea, meeting founder Kim Il-sung in 1991 and sending a delegation to pay respects after the death of Kim Jong-il. |
| Are you attending the funeral? Are you a follower of Sun Myung Moon? Share your thoughts and experiences with us using the form below. |