FFWPU-USA's Statement on Jonathan Park's removal from the Board of Directors

Yesterday afternoon the HSA/FFWPU Board of Directors voted to remove Mr. Jonathan Park [Pak] from the Board, for cause. His removal was not a response to allegations that he recently has made. Rather, it was in response to instructions from True Mother and specific breaches of his duties as a director of HSA. As stated in the Board’s resolution, the reasons for his removal were the following:

1. Disobedience to FFWPU Founder and Church Authority.

2. Breach of the Fiduciary Duty to promote the best interests of the organization.

3. Breach of Confidentiality of FFWPU materials and of Board of Directors documents.

By way of background, our Founder, True Mother, recommended in early October that Mr. Park step down from the Board. At the November 3, 2017 Board meeting, several of the Directors urged Mr. Park to resign in light of True Mother’s guidance. Mr. Park stated that he would “consider it carefully,” “make a decision shortly,” and “communicate with Dr. Kim.”

Mr. Park did not comply with the Founder’s request to resign from the Board. Nor did he communicate with Dr. Kim. Instead, on November 8, 2017, Mr. Park sent a complaint to the National Council and to various persons outside of the National Council. The complaint contained confidential materials. It was a violation of Mr. Park’s position as a Director to circulate those materials.

After further confirmation that the Founder still recommended the removal of Mr. Park from the Board, a notice was sent on November 27, calling for a Board meeting. The notice included the basis for cause, as outlined above. In response to the notice for cause, Mr. Park sent a memorandum in which he stated that True Mother’s mental capacities are “seriously impaired” and her closest assistants are “Rasputins.” The Board regards this conduct, and Mr. Park’s accompanying breaches of loyalty and confidentiality, as unacceptable for a Director.

Importantly, his statement stands in stark contrast to my most recent experience with True Mother since becoming President here in America. I had the opportunity to sit at a table with her in Korea with leaders from several countries. She outlined her plans for church growth, and her advice for each of us. And she was not easy on any of us. She was clear, precise and to the point. Furthermore, we must remember that True Mother does not ask us to second-guess her choices of her closest staff, nor does she ask us to critique her mental health. She asks us to do our best to accomplish God’s will, and that continues to be our highest priority at HSA/FFWPU headquarters.

After he was asked to move to a new mission, Mr. Park raised serious allegations about the “waste of church funds and assets.” (Fortunately, he had no objections to our religious and spiritual work.) We do not take these allegations lightly. The Board has further requested me to form a committee to review Mr. Park’s claims. I anticipate that this review will include involvement of the most senior and independent members of our Board of Directors, as well as our district pastors, along with members of the National Council.

I assure you that every one of Mr. Park’s allegations and complaints concerning our headquarters operations will be examined and that there will be a comprehensive report made to the membership. I ask for your patience and confidence in the process, and in the meantime, let us follow in the footsteps of our True Parents by focusing on continuing to carry out God’s Providence.

Rev. Richard Buessing President