Biography
Lucia Kim
About Lucia Kim
Lucia Kim, also known as Nusia, was born at Gangchon in Gangwon Province and grew up in Seoul. After losing her father, she learned Catholic teaching from her mother. While still young, she decided to remain unmarried.
When her mother died, Lucia sold the family property to pay for the funeral. She then lived in Catholic households, helping with small tasks. Later she shared a household with Theresa Yi Mae-im and other women.
During the persecution of 1839, Lucia and other Catholic women presented themselves to the authorities.
She underwent severe questioning and punishment at the police and criminal courts without abandoning her faith. The encyclopedia describes her explaining Catholic teaching to those questioning her.
The bishops’ conference account says that she cut and sold her hair to buy food for fellow inmates. It also records a letter to a friend asking for prayers.
Lucia was executed with seven other Catholics outside Seoul’s Small West Gate on July 20, 1839.
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