Cardinal Kim Soo-hwan’s Perspective on Human Beings and on Life

ABSTRACT

Cardinal Kim Soo-hwan was a Korean Catholic cleric and the first Korean cardinal. He was also a social activist who influenced the modern history of South Korea. He explored existential questions about human beings and the universal practice principles. His answers to these questions illustrate Cardinal Kim’s perspective on human beings and on life. Today, as the coronavirus pandemic presents a mirror to humankind, it is necessary to revisit Cardinal Kim’s views of human beings and of life. Cardinal Kim demonstrated a deep understanding of human beings. Hence, this study examines Cardinal Kim Soo-hwan’s perspective on human beings and on life using the Complete Collection of Cardinal Kim Soo-hwan and the Collection of Cardinal Kim Soo-hwan’s Words, two compilations of Cardinal Kim’s speech and writings. First, the study examines what it means to be human. This topic occupied Cardinal Kim throughout his life. The study also examines what it means to be human in a practical sense. This question is explored in the context of the labor movement of the 1970s, the democratization movement of the 1980s, and the life movement of the 1990s. The study confirms that, according to Cardinal Kim, being human is exemplified in the life movement as time went by. This study also concludes that, for Cardinal Kim, the ultimate goals of human character are personal development and being a religious person[homo religiosus].