Look at the world leaders from that True Mother is gathering for the sake of peace

Good morning everyone. My name is Myung- chul Cho. I was a member of the Korean National Assembly. As a legislator, I was given a nickname. I was called “the Crybaby,” because every time I was asked to give a speech, I would always be moved and against my hope and desire, I would shed tears. But today, because I am coming here to Heavenly Parent’s Holy Community’s Peace Festival, I am again moved to tears because I want to thank and welcome every one of you peace- loving citizens who have come here. I would like to thank in particular Dr. Moon for inviting me to come and speak.

I’m not sure how many of you know me, but I Myung-chul Cho, the first North Korean defector would like to briefly introduce myself. In elected to the South Korean National Assembly, in contrast to those of you seated here, my which he served 2012–2016 hometown is Pyongyang. I was born in Pyongyang, as was Kim Il-sung, so he and I share the same hometown. I went to Amsan School and later to Kim Il Sung University. These are educational institutions where the elite of North Korea go. After graduating from university, I was appointed as a professor of Economics at Kim Il-sung University. Thereafter, I went on an exchange program to China. From China, I came to South Korea.

When I came to South Korea, I visited the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy and began working there. Strangely, when as a North Korean I came there, when I saw how South Koreans respected me and welcomed me, I [fully] left, I became a defector from North Korea. I continued to work in South Korea until I was elected as a national assemblyman. I am also working as a professor at Sun Moon University. [Applause] Thank you. The president of Sun Moon University is also here.

I only have five minutes, so I want to end my introduction there. What I want to say is that you are genuinely blessed. You truly are blessed because from the moment you were born, from your youth all the way until your elderly years, even when you are old, you can always see Rev. Moon and Dr. Moon. You can always receive love and the truth from True Parents. You lead blessed lives.

It was at the age of thirty-two that for the first time in my life that I heard about Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon. It may seem insignificant to meet True Parents, but for me it was such a profound shock. I was a professor at Kim Il-sung University in North Korea at that time. My father was the minister of Construction in North Korea, and after True Parents’ visit to Pyongyang, Premier Kim Il- sung called all the ministers and he told them that he had met with Rev. Moon. All the government officers were shocked.

That caused me to think, How incredible must this person be? How great must this person have been that he moved Premier Kim Il-sung? When I lived overseas and when I lived in South Korea, I saw so many people criticizing, cursing North Korea. But when I was in Pyongyang, nobody ever said, North Korea’s ideology, North Korea’s system is wrong. I never saw one single person tell the elite, tell the premier…. There were so many politicians, so many businesspeople, so many NGO leaders and so many religious leaders that came to Pyongyang, but every time they came to Pyongyang, they felt over-awed. Instead of telling the truth, they would praise the North Korean system.

However, Rev. Moon was different. He told Premier Kim Il-sung that the Juche ideology is wrong, that communism is wrong — that this system that denies God is wrong. In front of the premier of North Korea, Rev. Moon confidently, boldly spoke. What an incredible, what a great person!

I’m sure you know that if you go to North Korea and say the wrong thing, if you even mar a poster, or take down a poster, or take down propaganda material or speak about God, your life might be at risk. So many citizens from America and around the world, so many pastors and businesspeople [came and said nothing critical]. It is unbelievable, unimaginable. Many of you might think, If I go to Pyongyang, I am going to speak freely. I am going to tell the truth.

Please believe me when I say, when you go there, it is just not possible. Rev. Moon was indeed an incredible person. What I felt was that he was a great person because when everyone else criticized North Korea, when everyone else cursed North Korea, they said, North Korea should perish. North Korea should be destroyed. When everyone else cursed North Korea, Rev. Moon said, “Even though North’s Korea’s system is wrong, even though the Juche ideology is wrong, we need to work together to realize reunification.”

At the time, when he told the truth, he also extended his hand. I was so moved by that. And when I saw Rev. Moon launching various businesses, he seriously looked at what North Korea needed — from tourism, to cars, to hotels, to economic development.

When we speak of peace and prosperity, without love, is that possible? Can we have true peace and prosperity without love, compassion? That is the person Rev. Moon is. He practiced true love and compassion.

At that time, I also met Dr. Hak Ja Han for the first time. How can she be so pure? So radiant. The citizens of Pyongyang were applauding. Some people said, [Professor Cho’s hand goes to his heart] “She is lovely. She is beautiful.” But what I felt is that the face is a window into the soul of a person. The fact that Mother was radiant… Looking at True Mother, I thought, How great must be True Mother’s love be that she is so radiant. You have been able to see True Mother, True Parents, for your entire lives. I can tell you that the citizens of North Korea desperately want to see True Parents, but they cannot.

When I see True Mother, Mother does not speak much, but you can see it in her countenance. I love True Parents and when True Parents do anything, an event, a gathering, I always do my best to attend. I can say that I am a fanatic when it comes to True Parents. It may be embarrassing for a political figure to say that he is a fanatic toward True Parents, but I can confidently say that.

When I see the path that True Parents have trod and the steps they’ve taken, it reminds me of a poem by Honorable Young-eun Han, which says, “What is a friend? You left me and beyond these beautiful gingko trees, beyond those beautiful hills, you have gone.”

Rev. Moon left, but we never left Rev. Moon. He is always alive in our hearts. I have read this poem so many times when thinking of Rev. Moon, that I have memorized it. It’s because of Rev. Moon, because of True Parents, that the Korean Peninsula has importance in modern history.

When Rev. Moon ascended, I was filled with concern. But after that, when I saw what Dr. Moon, what True Mother, did, I truly felt, Mother is the best! She is amazing!

Rev. Sun Myung Moon, his will, is not just being perfected, but True Mother has expanded on God’s providence and made it blossom even more. I’m sure you know this even better than I do.

Look at all of the leaders from around the world that True Mother is gathering for the sake of peace, harmony and the peaceful reunification on the Korean Peninsula. No government has been able to do so. All the scholars of the world, even if they combine their wisdom together, can we say that they would achieve as much without True Parents? Mother is bringing together all of the world’s scholars, and this is a sight that is not common nowadays. Today, I heard that members of Heavenly Parent’s Holy Community are increasing. This is possible thanks to True Mother. Because of that, I feel so happy and hopeful about the future.

I’m sorry. I am going over the time limit. I will take a bit more of your time. Mother needs to be with us. Mother needs to stay healthy, so that a nation like North Korea, such a dark place like North Korea, can finally see the bright light of reunification. We sing, “In the dark places, we will bring our embrace. Bring light!” Let us follow True Mother. Thank you very much.