The news of Reverend Pharis Harvey's passing has triggered a wave of remembrance and gratitude among Koreans, highlighting his pivotal role in exposing the truth of the 5.18 Gwangju Democratization Movement to the world.
The Korean internet is abuzz with tributes following the passing of Reverend Pharis Harvey, an American human rights activist who dedicated his life to advocating for democracy and human rights in Korea. Harvey, who passed away at the age of 90, played an absolutely critical role in bringing the atrocities of the 5.18 Gwangju Democratization Movement to international attention, a period when information was heavily suppressed by the military government.
Born in 1935, Reverend Harvey served as a missionary in Japan during the 1960s and 70s, where he became deeply involved in Korean human rights issues. He was a prominent figure in the movement to save former President Kim Dae-jung, who was then a political dissident. Most significantly, as a key leader of the North American Coalition for Korean Human Rights (NACKHR), he utilized newsletters and an extensive network to rapidly disseminate information about the brutal crackdown in Gwangju to North America and Europe. He even helped dispatch an investigation team, including an American doctor, to Gwangju and submitted a detailed report to the U.S. State Department, forcefully urging for truth-finding and international intervention. Koreans are now remembering his immense courage and unwavering commitment to their nation's democratic struggle.
🇰🇷 KOREAN REACTIONS 1
May he rest in peace.