Remembering the Rev. Pharis J. Harvey

Many foreign nationals have devoted themselves to the development of modern democracy in Korea. One notable figure is the Rev. Pharis J. Harvey.

Following a visit to the U.S. State Department decades ago, I paid a courtesy call to Harvey in Washington, D.C., where he was serving as the executive director of the North American Coalition for Human Rights in Korea. The meeting was arranged by a colleague of mine who had served as a U.S. State Department official. During my visit, I presented him with an English translation of a guidebook on Donghak (Cheondogyo, Korea’s native religion) that I had authored.

He showed a profound interest in the egalitarian philosophy of Donghak, whose values transcend religious affiliation. This egalitarian thought served as a vital intellectual foundation for the development of modern democracy in Korea, mirroring the country's democratization process at the time.

Harvey, a Methodist minister and passionate advocate for Korean democracy, was expelled from Korea in the 1970s for opposing the military dictatorship. Yet even from afar, his dedication remained unshakable, and he continued to stand firmly for justice and human rights. I extend my profound condolences on his recent passing on April 16 at the age of 91.

Born in 1935, Pharis J. Harvey devoted decades of his life to advancing democracy and human rights in Korea during one of its most repressive and politically turbulent periods. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he played a leading role in international advocacy through the North American Coalition for Human Rights in Korea, helping to mobilize global awareness and support.

His contributions were particularly significant during and after the Gwangju Democracy Movement. At a time when information was tightly controlled under the military regime, he helped ensure that the truth of Gwangju reached the outside world. Through newsletters and transnational activist networks, he disseminated reports of the brutal crackdown to North America and Europe, breaking through the wall of silence.

In the aftermath, he organized fact-finding missions that included American medical professionals and compiled their testimonies into reports submitted to the U.S. Department of State, calling for international scrutiny. He also engaged in persistent diplomatic advocacy during the administration of U.S. President Jimmy Carter, highlighting human rights conditions in Korea and urging the release of political prisoners.

In recognition of his unwavering dedication, the Korean government awarded him a presidential citation in 2020. Harvey served as a crucial bridge between Korea and the international community at a time when such connections were vital yet fragile.

Beyond Korea, Harvey also served as executive director of the International Labor Rights Fund, where he worked on global labor rights issues, including campaigns against child labor. His life was defined by moral clarity, quiet resilience and an unwavering dedication to justice.

His passing is a profound personal loss, yet it is also a moment to reflect on a legacy that transcends borders.

He spoke truth to power, stood with the oppressed, and helped ensure that Korea’s path to democracy was not walked alone. His philanthropic efforts provided not only a vital lifeline of information to the outside world but also moral encouragement to countless activists and political prisoners. Though his passing marks the end of an era, his influence remains deeply embedded in the vibrant democracy Korea enjoys today.

Harvey’s dedication to Korea’s democratization was profound, enduring, and inseparable from the freedoms Koreans enjoy today.

Choe Chong-dae (choecd@naver.com) is a guest columnist for The Korea Times. He is a recipient of Sweden’s Royal Order of the Polar Star, one of the nation’s most distinguished honors.