Moonies unite 40,000 couples

SEOUL, FEB 7: The mass wedding of 40,000 couples by the Unification Church, widely known as the Moonies,8217; began here on Sunday attended by 120,000 people as colourful balloons filled the air at the Olympic main stadium.

Well-wishers and couples filled the stadium, used as the main arena in the 1988 Summer Olympics, as South Korea8217;s pop music blared through loud speakers and participants, old and young, applauded in unison.

Multimillionaire leader of the church Sun Myung Moon was to conduct the Blessing 8217;998217; ceremony with similar weddings worldwide via satellite and Internet links.