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50
supporting South Korea. Another question that was brought up in the UN was the
question of unifying Korea. Unlike the troop vote, that vote was secret. We wrote
a lot of them and that came out 48 to 48. They are going to vote again next year.
So there are 78 nations that are neutral. Before next year we've got to change
those 78 nations to support South Korea. So that is our job with the UN."
(409)
For at least 1 year before the October 1974 fast and at least until 1978, The
New World Forum, a Unification Church public relations operation at the U.N.,
had been active in contacting U.N. officials, inviting them to dinner at the
Belvedere Mansion in Tarrytown, N.Y., and, over time, sought to develop positive
relationships. Ten UC members generally worked for The New World Forum
under the direction of Kiyoshi Nishi, Choi Sang Ik, and Michael Runyon, although
at times as many as 25 were involved. (410)
After the ROK U.N. Observer Mission in New York received a number of
complaints in 1975 about these lobbying efforts, the Korean Ambassador in
Washington instructed the head of the KCIA's Washington station to discuss the
situation with Moon or other appropriate UC officials. Within 3 months, this same
KCIA station chief, who had been opposed to Moon, was instructed by the
director of the KCIA in Seoul to cooperate with Moon because Moon was viewed
as a positive factor in building ROK relations with the United States.
(411)
This shift in attitude toward Moon's political activities appeared to reflect
differing perceptions within the ROK Government of Moon's power, influence,
and effect on Korean-American relations. As discussed elsewhere, the Moon
Organization had allies within the ROK Government and benefited from a variety
of ties to the
348
Government. (412)
However, to the extent that the Moon Organization was
perceived to be a threat or a political liability, the Korean Government tried to
dissociate itself from it, as exemplified by the cancellation of the Little Angels'
passports in late 1976 and the prosecution of Il Hwa officers in 1977. Yet later in
1977, Moon Organization representatives appeared in the United States to ne-
gotiate a defense contract, with the apparent knowledge and backing of the
Korean Government. This inconsistency in the ROK Government's attitude
toward Moon Organization activities paralleled the experience of others carrying
on pro-ROK influence activities. For example, the Korean Government similarly
disavowed any relationship with Tongsun Park when he became controversial in
the United States.
Like Tongsun Park, Moon attempted to create a favorable image in Seoul.
The activities of his followers were planned for their public relations value and
their potential for increasing his political power in Korea and in other countries as
well.
Moon use of prominent Americans
To create an image of power and respectability, Moon made skillful use of his
meetings with prominent persons and used their fame to enhance his own. One
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