Biography
Sebastian Nam I-gwan
About Sebastian Nam I-gwan
Sebastian Nam I-gwan belonged to a Catholic family and was married to Barbara Cho Chung-i. During the persecution of 1801, he was arrested after taking refuge with his wife’s family at Icheon. His father was exiled to Gangjin and died there; Sebastian was sent to Danseong.
After his release in 1832, Sebastian returned to Seoul and helped Paul Chong Ha-sang’s efforts to bring a priest to Korea. The encyclopedia records his reception of Pacificus Yu, baptism and appointment as a catechist.
The bishops’ conference account places his baptism during a serious illness as an adult. He assisted Pacificus Yu and offered him accommodation.
During the persecution of 1839, he took refuge at Icheon but was arrested and taken to Seoul. He was questioned at the police, criminal court and state tribunal.
He refused demands to abandon his religion and sent a final message to his wife through a prison guard.
Sebastian was executed outside Seoul’s Small West Gate on September 26, 1839.
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