Agatha Kim

About Agatha Kim

Agatha Kim was one of 103 Korean martyrs canonized together in 1984. Christianity arrived in Korea through Korean scholars who studied in China. Despite severe persecution, the faith grew. Agatha was arrested during the 1839 persecution and tortured to force apostasy. She refused, maintaining her faith despite brutal treatment. At age 22, she was beheaded for refusing to renounce Christianity. The Korean martyrs demonstrated extraordinary courage, with entire communities choosing death over apostasy. Their witness established the Catholic Church firmly in Korea, which today has one of the world's most vibrant Catholic communities.