Biography
Damian Nam Myong-hyok
About Damian Nam Myong-hyok
Damian Nam Myong-hyok grew up in a noble family in Seoul. As an adult he began studying Catholic teaching and was baptized by Pacificus Yu Pang-je, the Chinese priest who entered Korea in 1834. He was married to Maria Yi Yon-hui. Appointed a catechist alongside his neighbor Augustine Yi Kwang-hon, he taught his family and other people interested in the religion.
Damian welcomed people to his house for religious instruction and looked after sick neighbors. He also baptized children in danger of death. During the persecution of 1839, information supplied to the authorities led to his arrest with his family. The police found Bishop Imbert’s vestments and religious books in his care.
The encyclopedia links the arrest to a gathering for the sacraments at Damian’s house that April. More people came than expected, and a person preparing for baptism informed the authorities. Imbert had already left when police arrived. Officials seized his liturgical clothing, a book and a bishop’s mitre.
The bishops’ conference account says Damian tried to conceal the missionary’s identity by attributing the articles to a deceased priest. He refused to renounce Catholicism or identify fellow believers and suffered severe punishment. Before his death, he wrote to his imprisoned wife about his hope that they would meet again in heaven. He was beheaded outside Seoul’s Small West Gate with eight other Catholics on May 24, 1839.
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