[How About This Book] Father Ham Se-woong of the Priests for Justice Talks About Justice

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Mideum] “The so-called Yushin Constitution (...) is invalid and contrary to truth because it was manipulated through a fraudulent referendum involving violence and intimidation.”

On July 23, 1974, the ‘Declaration of Conscience’ condemning the Yushin Constitution was announced, and as a result, Bishop Ji Hak-soon was sentenced to 15 years in prison. A rescue movement arose centered around Catholic priests, which led to the formation of the ‘Catholic Priests’ Association for Justice’ (Jeong-ui Guhyeon Sajedan). One of the key figures at the center was Father Ham Se-ung.

He, who advocated for a ‘conscience in action,’ did not hide his convictions amid the harsh times through the Priests’ Association for Justice. Although he suffered imprisonment due to involvement in various political incidents, he has continued to express his convictions to this day.

‘Historical Prayers Written with Ham Se-ung’s Brush’ (Laeunoon) is a record of the era reflecting Ham Se-ung’s historical perspective. It revisits modern and contemporary Korean history from the viewpoint of Ham Se-ung, who has walked the path of both priest and activist throughout his life. The book condenses modern and contemporary Korean history into fifty-two scenes.

The starting point is August 15, 1945, Liberation Day. He agrees with the view that “liberation lasted only one day, August 16, 1945,” emphasizing that “the joy of liberation was momentary, and history demanded a long and great price from our nation.” He especially laments the post-liberation division into nationalist and communist factions and the failure of figures like Syngman Rhee, Yeo Un-hyung, and Kim Gu to unite, expressing regret with statements such as “If everyone had come together for the greater good despite differences in thought,” and “If immature judgments relying solely on the Shanghai Provisional Government had not been made.” He argues that the division of the nation and left-right conflicts, unwanted by any part of the Korean community, were caused by the wrong decisions of General MacArthur’s Allied Military Government.

The author brings to light figures whose achievements have not been widely recognized. A representative figure is Police Officer Park Jae-pyo. In 1956, while working at the Soseong Police Station in Jeongeup County, 25-year-old Officer Park exposed the ruling party’s ballot box swapping, revealing election fraud under the Syngman Rhee regime. On August 13, 1956, during the second local council elections, he held a press conference stating that plainclothes police officers had broken the seals of ballot boxes and swapped ballots while moving the boxes to the counting center, causing a huge stir. The phrase “won the vote but lost the count” became a popular saying reflecting the growing public distrust, and the impact of Officer Park’s revelations spread widely. However, Park was arrested for dereliction of duty and served one and a half years in prison. After release, he faced employment restrictions, and his family, siblings, cousins, and nephews were not free from the shadow of the guilt-by-association system. Father Ham insists, “I hope August 27, the day Officer Park exposed election fraud, will be commemorated as Police Day.” He adds, “Back then, election fraud involved ballot box swapping, but now information is distorted and public opinion manipulated through media. We must firmly resolve to become the second and third Park Jae-pyo ourselves.”

The author’s religious perspective is also evident in his interpretations. Regarding the religious teaching that “one must not take one’s own life for any reason,” he explains, “Since the Second Vatican Council in 1962, the Catholic Church has approached this anew,” adding, “Death is the moment of meeting eternity and belongs to God’s domain, so funeral masses are appropriately offered for those who have committed suicide, and they may be buried in church cemeteries.” Suicide is a matter for divine judgment, not human. He expresses concern, saying, “Jeon Tae-il willingly sacrificed himself for ‘togetherness,’ yet irregular workers still live with the fear of dismissal, and outsourced workers face life-threatening dangers.”

His views on Kim Jae-gyu, the director of the Central Intelligence Agency who assassinated former President Park Chung-hee, are also intriguing. Father Ham says, “People say he acted out of jealousy in a sudden impulse, but that is not true,” explaining, “He was the only person who openly spoke frankly to Park Chung-hee. He consistently opposed dictatorship and the Yushin regime. He even decided to help the family of activist Jang Jun-ha, who was under surveillance.” Father Ham claims that Kim Jae-gyu witnessed the angry public sentiment during the Bu-Ma Uprising and foresaw the end of the Yushin regime, saying he was baptized by the Bu-Ma Uprising. During Kim Jae-gyu’s trial, Father Ham made desperate efforts with human rights lawyers to clarify the case. At the Dongbu Ichon-dong Cathedral, he personally collected signatures for a rescue petition.

“Our society is still withholding judgment on Kim Jae-gyu.” Father Ham calls the ‘murder for the purpose of rebellion’ charge against Kim Jae-gyu a judicial murder and says, “Our society still owes a debt to Kim Jae-gyu.” He notes that Kim’s final statement in court, “People, enjoy democracy,” reflects his significant contribution to today’s democracy. He also adds that we should remember Park Sun-ho, the protocol chief, Colonel Park Heung-joo, the secretary general, driver Yoo Sung-ok, security guard Lee Ki-joo, and security guard Kim Tae-won, who were with Kim Jae-gyu.

Former President Moon Jae-in, in his recommendation, said, “(Father Ham) was a prophet of the era who rebuked dictatorship and injustice like the prophets of the Old Testament, and he still awakens our conscience,” adding, “This book will be an excellent guide to learning from history, interpreting today, and looking toward tomorrow.”

Historical Prayers Written with Ham Se-ung’s Brush | Written by Ham Se-ung | Laeunoon | 480 pages | 35,000 KRW