Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn and Companions

Biography

Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn (1821-1846) was the first Korean-born Catholic priest and a central figure in the Korean Catholic Church's early development. Born into a Catholic family during a period of severe persecution, he received seminary training in Macao before returning to Korea to minister secretly. He worked tirelessly to strengthen the faith community despite constant danger from hostile authorities. Andrew was arrested, tortured, and executed by beheading in 1846 at age 25. His feast commemorates him alongside 102 Korean Catholic martyrs—priests, religious, and lay faithful—who died between 1791 and 1888. These companions represent the broader Korean Catholic martyrdom movement, including notable figures like Peter Cho Shin and other priests and lay leaders. Their collective sacrifice transformed Korean Catholicism into a vibrant, indigenous faith community. The 103 martyrs were canonized together in 1984, the first Korean-born saint canonized by the Catholic Church.