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St. Andrew Kim Taegon: 1821–September 16, 1846
St. Paul Chong Hasang: c. 1795–September 22, 1839
Companions: Martyred between 1839 and 1867
Patron Saints of Korea, Korean clergy and laity, and persecuted Christians
The story of the Korean martyrs is one of the most extraordinary in the history of the Church. Unlike many regions where missionaries first brought Christianity, the Faith in Korea began when Korean scholars encountered Catholic teachings through books brought from China. Moved by what they read, they began to live as Christians, forming communities and baptizing one another long before priests were present.
Among these early believers was St. Paul Chong Hasang, a lay leader who became a guiding force for the underground Church. During intense persecution under the Joseon Dynasty, he worked tirelessly to sustain the Christian community and repeatedly appealed for missionaries to be sent to Korea. Eventually, priests from China arrived, including Bishop Laurent Imbert.
One of those priests was Andrew Kim, the first native Korean Catholic priest. Born into a family of converts, Andrew studied for the priesthood in China and returned to Korea knowing full well the danger he faced. He ministered secretly to the faithful, encouraging them to remain steadfast despite the constant threat of arrest.
Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon and Paul Chong Hasang were eventually captured and executed for their faith, along with hundreds of other Christians. Between 1839 and 1867, an estimated ten thousand Korean Catholics suffered martyrdom. Of these, 103 were canonized in 1984 during Pope St. John Paul II’s visit to Korea.
The Korean martyrs stand as a powerful witness to the strength of lay leadership, the courage of young clergy, and the extraordinary growth of the Church under persecution. Today, Korea is home to a growing Catholic community, with around six million members and 5,800 priests.
Remarkably, the Catholic Faith reached Korea without missionaries. In the late 18th century, Korean scholars studying Confucian texts encountered Catholic writings brought from China. These writings inspired deep curiosity and conversion among educated laypeople, who began forming prayer groups and communities. Because no priest was initially present, early Korean Catholics baptized one another and preserved the Faith under great difficulty until missionaries were eventually able to enter the country secretly and administer the Sacraments.
Andrew Kim holds the distinction of being the first native Korean Catholic priest. Born to a family of converts, he traveled to a seminary in Macau, China, for formation and later returned to Korea to serve the underground Church. His mission was extremely dangerous, as priests were forbidden under the law. He ministered in secret, guiding small Christian communities, encouraging the faithful, and helping organize safe routes for missionaries entering the country.
The 103 Korean martyrs represent a wide cross-section of the Church in Korea—bishops, priests, religious sisters, lay men and women, and even children. They were canonized together because they shared the same witness of faith during repeated waves of persecution between 1839 and 1867. Their collective canonization represents the Church in Korea, sustained by the clergy and laity, including entire families and communities who chose faith in Christ, even at the cost of their lives.
The Blessed Virgin Mary bore extreme pains throughout her life. And as the mother of the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53), she witnessed her Son’s Passion and Death on the Cross. This is why, as we face our own pains and temptations, we should turn to Our Lady of Sorrows and meditate on her Seven Dolors, or Sorrows.
This free eBook will encourage you to meditate on these Sorrows that pierced Mary’s Immaculate Heart. Use the form below to tell us where to send your free eBook, The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In a country that suppressed Christianity, Andrew Kim and Paul Chong Hasang lost their lives preaching the Gospel. This EWTN original program profiles the brave saints known as the Korean martyrs.
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As we deepen our relationship with the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, we grow in grace and are transformed by His love and mercy.
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