Mass Matrimony in Seoul

A>> the Korean navy band belted out the bridal march from Lohengrin, 791 couples from all over the world filed into a huge indoor gym in the South Korean capital. The brides wore the traditional Korean maxi-length skirts and matching white chogori (blouses), and the men were dressed mainly in flannel suits. Resplendent on the platform in front of them stood Master Sun Myung Moon and his wife in golden robes and glistening crowns. As two thousand curious spectators looked on, Master Moon intoned: "Will you swear to love your spouse forever?" The 1,582 men and women responded: "Ye" (Korean for yes).

A refugee from North Korea, Moon, 50, was a day laborer in Pusan before he founded the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity in 1950. So far, his main achievement has been to unify growing numbers of couples, who travel from the U.S. and all parts of the non-Communist world to take part in the mass nuptials. Reason: they accept Moon's prophecy that Christ will be resurrected in Seoul. Moon has held six mass ceremonies since 1960, involving a grand total of 3,004 men and women. The popularity of these rites is especially unusual in view of the condition imposed by Moon's rather special spiritual code. Last week, as the newlyweds left the ceremony, they were reminded that they must not consummate their marriage until 40 days have passed.

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