Suzan Kang Gyeong-bok
Korean martyr, catholic blessed
Who they were
Susanna Kang Gyeong-bok was a lady-in-waiting at the Korean royal court who came into contact with Catholicism together with other women of her rank. After helping the missionary Father James Zhou Wenmo to escape, she was captured by the police; she recanted at first, but after repenting she prepared to face martyrdom with seven other brothers and sisters in the faith.
Born in 1762 to a humble family, she became a court lady and later lived at the Yangjegung, home to women who had left palace service; there, around 1798, Maria Song and her daughter-in-law Maria Sin, both Catholic, introduced her to the faith, and she was baptised as Susanna. During the Shinyu persecution of 1801 she helped Father James escape, then was captured and repeatedly tortured, moved from court to court; though she wavered once and recanted, she returned to professing her faith before her death. 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 court lady who helped a missionary priest escape during the Shinyu persecution and was tortured before her death; 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
- James Zhou Wenmo Blessed“After helping the missionary Father James Zhou Wenmo to escape, she was captured by the police; she recanted at first, but after repenting she prepared to face martyrdom with seven other brothers and sisters in the faith.” — this site's research
- Santi, beati e testimoni (santiebeati.it) - Beata Susanna Kang Gyeong-bok, by Emilia Flocchini
- Wikidata Q77678667 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
Checked against the sources listed on 22 September 2026. Corrections welcome.