During his tenure as a judge, he reversed the death sentence of the young Syngman Rhee, who became the first president of South Korea four decades later.

After the Korean Empire fell and was annexed by Japan, Ham devoted his life to getting his country back.

Ham was also active as a leader of Christianity in Korea, clashed often with Communists, and resisted Shinto rituals imposed by the Japanese government.

Rhee asked Ham to be his running mate at the height of the Korean War and the two won the election.

Ham retired from public service and received Order of Merit for National Foundation.