Ham Se-ung: "Samsung's Limit is 'What Must Change Except Wife and Children'"

Father Ham Se-woong, president of the Anti-Japanese Independence Activists Association, is delivering an encouragement speech at the 100th anniversary ceremony of the founding of the Shinhan Youth Party held at the Kyobo Building Convention Hall in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, in November 2018. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-eun] Father Ham Se-woong evaluated on the 26th that the message "Change everything except your wife and children" represents the limitations of Samsung and our era as a whole.

On the same day, Father Ham said on KBS Radio's 'Joo Jin-woo Live' regarding the passing of Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, "Death is a solemn event. I remembered him and offered prayers," adding, "However, what is regrettable is his limitation." He continued, "'Change everything except your wife and children' was his very strong message, but in truth, even the wife and children should be abandoned."

He also said, "The limitation of still being obsessed with wife and children is our limitation. It is the limitation of capitalism," and added, "While highly evaluating Chairman Lee Kun-hee, I thought that the limitation of being obsessed with family is Samsung's limitation, or perhaps the limitation of our entire era."

He further stated, "I prayed for him and for Samsung's success, and I hope that Samsung truly repents and reflects on itself through this opportunity."

In response, host Joo Jin-woo asked, "Did you say that because the succession issue is a matter tied to the family?" to which Father Ham replied, "Thank you for interpreting it well."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.