Paul Chong Hasang was a philosopher and lay missionary in Joseon who lived from approximately 1795 to 1839. The son of the martyr Augustine Chong Yakjong, he worked as a government interpreter and traveled to Beijing to facilitate contact with missionaries. He studied theology and Latin under Imbert and actively advocated for the establishment of a Korean diocese by petitioning Pope Gregory XVI. During periods of intense persecution, he remained a steadfast defender of the Catholic faith until his death in Seoul.
Life and death
After serving as an interpreter, Chong Hasang dedicated himself to the expansion of the Catholic Church in Korea. He sought to strengthen the local religious community by communicating directly with the papacy. His commitment led to his eventual arrest during a time of religious suppression. At the age of 45, he was executed by being crucified on a cart in Seoul on September 22, 1839.
Veneration
He is recognized as one of the 103 Korean martyrs. He was canonized as a saint by Pope John Paul II. The Catholic Church commemorates him with feast days on September 20 and September 22. He is remembered for his role in the early development of the Korean Catholic Church and his unwavering religious convictions.