Biography
Peter Hong Pyong-ju
About Peter Hong Pyong-ju
Peter Hong Pyong-ju was born in Seoul in 1798 into a Catholic family. His grandfather, Hong Nak-min, died during the persecution of 1801. Peter later moved with his father to Yeosaul in Yesan, the family’s ancestral home.
Peter and his younger brother Paul Hong Yong-ju became catechists after French missionaries arrived in Korea. They taught Catholics, cared for others and undertook charitable work.
During the persecution of 1839, they provided refuge for missionaries. After an informer disclosed their activity, they were arrested in August and taken to Seoul.
They refused demands to deny their faith or reveal the whereabouts of other Catholics. Peter was executed at Tang-kogae on January 31, 1840; Paul was executed the following day.
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