On November 14th, Rev. Hak Ja Han Moon, wife of the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon, who proposed the "International Highway Japan-Korea Tunnel" project, visited the Karatsu Nagoya Incline Shaft site for the first time. She inspected the inside of the tunnel and the observation deck, and prayed for the continued support of many collaborators and offered encouragement for the project's early realization.
The international highway was proposed in November 1981, marking its 35th anniversary this year, and the groundbreaking ceremony for the Japan-Korea Tunnel's Karatsu-Nagoya inclined shaft in October 1986 marks its 30th anniversary this year. However, since its proponent, Sun Myung Moon, passed away in September 2012, he was unable to see the site in person. With Rev. Hak Ja Han Moon's visit and inspection, this wish of 35 years will be realized. It is expected that this project will make visible progress in the future.
At 10:00 a.m. on November 14th, President Han stepped onto the site in the rain. After hearing a progress report, he gave a blessing in front of the entrance to the shaft. By this time, the rain had stopped and the sun was shining. He inspected the end of the inclined shaft, went up to the observation deck and gazed out to the Genkai Sea far to the west, looking towards the Korean Peninsula. He planted a commemorative tree, encouraged the highway officials and on-site workers, and then left the site. The summary of the blessing is as follows:
"How long have we been waiting for this moment?
God remembers well the Korean and Japanese people who have worked hard for over 30 years here in Karatsu, Kyushu, to fulfill their responsibilities in accordance with the proposal for the international highway Japan-Korea tunnel.
Today, the world is facing a bleak reality of uncertainty and no future.
In this context, the Japan-Korea International Highway Tunnel is a hope for future generations of humanity, and a project that will fulfill the wishes of heaven.
I would like to once again offer my deepest gratitude and praise to God for this, and I sincerely hope that all those who have been prepared to complete this project will come together and achieve its purpose.
Today, we are grateful that God has been with us, even in the weather, and we pray for him."
[Photo] Mrs. Han Young and guests offering a blessing in front of the 600m tunnel entrance
[Photo] Wearing helmets, people are driven to the tunnel's face in a cart
[Photo] After the commemorative tree planting, the group inspected the observation deck and grounds.
