 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (March 2021) |
Ham Seok-heon | |
|---|---|
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| Born | March 13, 1901 |
| Died | February 4, 1989 (aged 87) |
| Occupations | Author, poet, religious evangelist |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 함석헌 |
| Hanja | 咸錫憲 |
| RR | Ham Seokheon |
| MR | Ham Sŏkhŏn |
Ham Seok-heon (Korean: 함석헌; Hanja: 咸錫憲; 13 March 1901 – 4 February 1989) was a notable figure in the Religious Society of Friends (Quaker) movement in Korea, and was nicknamed the "Gandhi of Korea." Ham was an important Asian voice for human rights and non-violence during the 20th century, despite numerous imprisonments for his convictions. He was a Quaker who concluded that all religions are on common ground in terms of human beings, a view shared by many Quakers.
He encouraged peace and democracy and promoted non-violence movement known as "seed idea" (ssi-al sasang), consistently present in his books Korean History Seen through a Will published in 1948, Human Revolution in 1961, History and People in 1964, and Queen of Suffering: a spiritual history of Korea edited in 1985. He was also a poet and wrote about 120 poems such as "Song of the West Wind" written in 1983. In 2000, Ham was selected by the Republic of Korea as a national cultural figure.
