Juliana Kim Yeon-i
Korean martyr, blessed
Who they were
Juliana Kim Yeon-i came from a humble family in Seoul. She learned Catholic doctrine from Agatha Han Sin-ae and was baptised by the first missionary priest in Korea, the Chinese Father James Zhou Wenmo, at the house of the catechist Columba Kang Wan-suk. She went on to teach the faith to others, even reaching the Yangjegung, home to women who had left service in the royal palace, and befriended its residents, inviting them to Mass.
When a new persecution broke out in December 1800, Juliana sheltered Simon Kim Gye-wan in her house at Columba's request, and the following year, when the persecution edict was proclaimed, she also took in Alexius Hwang Sayeong, putting herself in danger. Arrested and repeatedly tortured, she revealed nothing about her fellow believers. She was condemned to death together with seven companions and beheaded at the Small West Gate of Seoul on 2 July 1801, aged thirty-nine. She was beatified by Pope Francis on 16 August 2014 during his apostolic journey to South Korea.
The miracles
As a martyr she was raised to the altars without a miracle.
Why that counted as sanctity
Korean laywoman who taught the faith and sheltered fellow Catholics during the Shinyu persecution; beheaded in Seoul in 1801, beatified in 2014.
The cause
The cause continues. No postulation address is published here yet. Favours received through this person’s intercession, and offers of help, are best sent to the religious order or congregation they belonged to, or to the diocese where the cause was opened; either will pass them to the postulation.
Connected on this site
- Agatha Han Sin-ae Blessed“She learned Catholic doctrine from Agatha Han Sin-ae and was baptised by the first missionary priest in Korea, the Chinese Father James Zhou Wenmo, at the house of the catechist Columba Kang Wan-suk.” — this site's research
- Columba Kang Wan-suk Blessed“She learned Catholic doctrine from Agatha Han Sin-ae and was baptised by the first missionary priest in Korea, the Chinese Father James Zhou Wenmo, at the house of the catechist Columba Kang Wan-suk.” — this site's research
- James Zhou Wenmo Blessed“She learned Catholic doctrine from Agatha Han Sin-ae and was baptised by the first missionary priest in Korea, the Chinese Father James Zhou Wenmo, at the house of the catechist Columba Kang Wan-suk.” — this site's research
- Simon Kim Gye-wan Blessed“When a new persecution broke out in December 1800, Juliana sheltered Simon Kim Gye-wan in her house at Columba's request, and the following year, when the persecution edict was proclaimed, she also took in Alexius Hwang Sayeong, putting herself in danger.” — this site's research
- Santi, beati e testimoni (santiebeati.it) - Beata Giuliana Kim Yeon-i, by Emilia Flocchini
- Wikidata Q77737815 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
Checked against the sources listed on 22 September 2026. Corrections welcome.