CHONG YAK-JONG

born 1760, Korea died 1801, Korea also called Augustine Chong one of the most eminent leaders in the early propagation of Roman Catholicism in Korea. He was the elder brother of Chong Yak-yong, the famous scholar of the Silhak (Korean: "Practical Learning") movement in the late Yi dynasty. Born to a family noted for its scholarly background, Chong was converted to Roman Catholicism by the Chinese priest Chou Wen-mu (James Chou), the first ordained priest ever to enter Korea. Chong made a great contribution toward the spread of the gospel in Korea and served as the first president of Myongdo-hoe ("Society of Bright Truth"), an institute established for the study and spread of Roman Catholic doctrines. He also wrote the Principal Articles of the Religion, the first guidebook to Roman Catholicism written in Korean; it contributed toward the spread of the Korean alphabet, which had been generally neglected in favour of Chinese. His second book remained unfinished because of government persecution. Arrested in 1801, Chong refused to submit to the will of the authorities. He claimed that the prohibition of Roman Catholicism was wrong, declaring that he was not afraid to die for the sake of truth. He was executed at the age of 42 and became one of the most celebrated Korean Christian martyrs.