Andrew Kim Taegon
The first native Korean Catholic priest, martyred for his faith at the age of 25.
- 19th century
- Feast day September 20
- Martyr
- Priest
Born into a noble Korean family that had converted to Catholicism, Andrew Kim Taegon followed in the footsteps of his father, who was also martyred. He traveled to China for his theological studies and was ordained priest in 1845. Upon returning to Korea to evangelize his people, he was arrested, imprisoned, and eventually beheaded at Saenamteo. He is celebrated as one of the 103 Korean martyrs canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1984.