Moon dead at 92

EDIT CONTAINS 4:3 MATERIAL

The founder of the controversial Unification Church, Reverend Sun Myung Moon, died early Monday in South Korea.

Moon founded the church in 1953 and built a world-wide religious and business empire during his life.

An aide to Moon said the reverend accomplished the mission he set out to do.

(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) FORMER SPECIAL AIDE TO REV. MOON, BO HI PAK, SAYING:

"We are in a wretched plight (with the death of Rev. Moon). Our teaching tells us we would go to heaven eventually when we are old. However, Rev. Sun Myung Moon, father of us and the human race, came here as a messiah to accomplish his mission."

That mission often came under criticism by mainstream Christian groups who felt Moon, a self-proclaimed messiah, was running a cult.

Moon performed several mass wedding ceremonies, and often matched the couples himself. Some didn't know each other prior, or even speak the same language.

Moon was also a business tycoon--his church owns and oversees several businesses and media outlets including the conservative Washington Times newspaper.

His business dealings got him into trouble in the 80's however when he was jailed on tax evasion charges.

Moon is survived by a wife and 10 of their 13 children.

He was 92 years old.