Biography
Barbara Yi
About Barbara Yi
Barbara Yi was a young Korean Catholic who lost her parents and went to live in Seoul with her aunts, Magdalena Yi Yong-hui and Barbara Yi Chong-hui.
She was arrested during the persecution of 1839 and taken to the police station.
After questioning, Barbara was transferred to the criminal court and subjected to severe punishment. The judge returned her to police custody because of her youth. The encyclopedia describes her finding companionship among other imprisoned girls of similar age.
Barbara became ill and died in prison in Seoul on May 27, 1839.
The encyclopedia identifies her illness as a fever during an outbreak.
The bishops’ conference biography places her birth at Chongpa in Seoul.
The Korean encyclopedia instead identifies Bongcheon in Siheung; her precise birthplace remains uncertain.
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