Moon headquarters preparing for huge funeral

GAPYEONG, South Korea (AFP) - Just hours after the death of Unification Church founder and "messiah" Sun Myung Moon, preparation work had already begun for what Church officials expect will be a huge funeral turnout.

At the church's sprawling, mountain-ringed headquarters in Gapyeong, east of Seoul, workers had started paving a one-kilometre, two-lane road leading to the complex where Moon's funeral will be held on Sep 15.

Officials said construction work was also set to begin on a special altar inside a large gymnasium at the centre of the complex, where the public will be allowed to offer their prayers from Thursday.

Mr Bo Hi Pak, Moon's close aide for decades, said the number of mourners would be swelled by tens of thousands of church members expected to make the trip from overseas to pay their respects.