Hong Sehwa, the author of "I Am a Taxi Driver in Paris," who advocated tolerance in Korean society through his experiences during exile in France, passed away on the morning of the 18th. He was 77 years old.
Mr. Hong, who worked as a trade company employee and European correspondent, was involved in the so-called 'Namminjeon Incident' and lived in exile in Paris, France for an extended period. Through the tolerance he acquired during his life in France, he urged changes in Korean society.
After returning to Korea in 2002, he served as a planning committee member of the Hankyoreh newspaper editorial office and was actively engaged in writing. In 2011, he also served as the leader of the Progressive Party, the predecessor of the Green Justice Party.
Since 2015, despite being sentenced to fines, he established the "Jangbaljan Bank," which lends up to 3 million won to those facing forced labor due to financial difficulties, and served as its bank president.
While battling cancer, Mr. Hong passed away at Noksaek Hospital in Jungnang-gu, Seoul, surrounded by his family.
The Green Justice Party stated in a comment, "In today's world filled with confrontation and language of hatred between friends and foes, the 'attitude of tolerance' emphasized by the teacher feels heavy," and "We pray for the eternal outsider, the 'grenadier who shakes his beard until it withers,' Hong Sehwa's soul to rest in peace."
Mr. Hong left behind works such as "The Seine Divides Left and Right, the Han Divides North and South" (1999), "For the Outsider" (2000), "The Sorrow of the Villain" (2002), "Starfish" (2003), "Red Traffic Light" (2003), "On Apology" (2020), and "Meritocracy and Inequality" (2020).
The funeral hall for Mr. Hong was set up at Yonsei University Sinchon Severance Hospital in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.
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