Three Japanese people who are said to belong to the Unification Church, including a 53-year-old woman, set themselves on fire in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, at around 4 p.m., according to reports Thursday.

The three reportedly burned themselves by spraying paint thinner. Reports said two of them were in critical condition. 

Friday marks the first anniversary of the passing of Moon Sun-myung, founder of the powerful religion. 

Tongil Foundation, the umbrella organization that controls Tongil Group with 12 affiliates and the Unification Church, had appointed Park No-hee as the chairman of the foundation in March, replacing Moon Kook-jin, the fourth son of founder Moon.

The Unification Church in February announced that it is reverting to the name “Family Federation for World Peace and Unification,” from “Unification Church.”

By Lee Joo-hee (jhl@heraldcorp.com)