Cardinal Stephen Sou Hwan Kim, Archbishop emeritus of Seoul (Korea), was born on 8 May 1922 in Tae Gu; ordained a priest on 15 September 1951; named Bishop of Masan on 15 February 1966; received episcopal consecration on 31 May 1966; promoted to Archbishop of Seoul on 9 April 1968; created and proclaimed Cardinal by Paul VI in the consistory of 28 April 1969, with the title of St. Felix of Cantalice at Centocelle; Archbishop emeritus of Seoul (resigned 3 April 1998); apostolic administrator of Pyeong Yang (10 June 1975 until 3 April 1998).

During the Korean War he assisted in various parishes of the then apostolic vicariate of Tae Gu, and was also secretary to the archbishop. He was transferred to Japan, where he earned a degree in philosophy at the Catholic University Jôchi Daigaku of Tokyo, directed by the Jesuits. He returned to Korea and ran the "Catholic Shilbo", the Catholic newspaper of Tae Gu. He was then sent to Europe, where he specialized in social sciences at Münster, Germany from 1956 to 1965.

After returning to Korea, he was appointed Bishop of Masan and two years later became Archbishop of Seoul. In the South Korean capital, he worked toward implementing the spirit of Vatican II in the diocese, and intensified evangelization activity inviting lay participation. One of his priorities was the pursuit of dialogue with non-Christians and the coordination of shared humanitarian and charitable efforts. His statements and initiatives on behalf of human rights in difficult politically internal situations were very courageous.

He was more than once president of the Korean episcopal conference; from 1973 to 1977 he was president of the Federation of the Asian Bishops' Conference (FABC); from 1974 to 1977 he was a member of the Council of the General Secretariate of the Synod of Bishops. President delegate of the Special Assembly for Asia of the Synod of Bishops (1998).

He was also apostolic administrator of Pyeong Yang, Korea (10 June1975- 3 April 1998).

Created and proclaimed Cardinal by Paul VI in the consistory of 28 April 1969, of the Title of San Felice da Cantalice a Centocelle (St. Felix of Cantalice a Centocelle).