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| Andrew Yeom Soo-jung | |
|---|---|
| Name | Andrew Yeom Soo-jung |
| Birth date | 1943-12-04 |
| Birth place | Seoul, Korea |
| Occupation | Prelate |
| Alma mater | Pontifical Gregorian University, Pontifical Urban University |
| Religion | Catholic Church |
| Titles | Cardinal, Archbishop Emeritus of Seoul |
Andrew Yeom Soo-jung
Andrew Yeom Soo-jung is a South Korean Catholic prelate who served as Archbishop of Seoul and was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis. He played prominent roles in relations between the Holy See and the Korean Peninsula and participated in major ecclesiastical gatherings such as the Synod of Bishops. He is noted for involvement with institutions including the Catholic University of Korea, the Korean Bishops’ Conference, and Vatican congregations.
Yeom was born in Seoul in 1943 during the period of Japanese rule in Korea and grew up amid the aftermath of the Korean War. He studied at local seminaries before enrolling at the Pontifical Urban University and the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, where he pursued advanced theology and canon law, interacting with scholars from institutions such as the Pontifical Lateran University, the Vatican Library, and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. During his Roman studies he encountered clergy and theologians connected to Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and other figures active in the Second Vatican Council legacy.
Ordained a priest in the Diocese of Daejeon (formerly Taegu structures) in the 1960s, Yeom served in parish ministry, seminary formation, and diocesan administration alongside clergy involved with the Caritas Internationalis network and Korean Catholic organizations like the Dong-A Ilbo-affiliated social movements. He was appointed bishop in the late 20th century and served as an auxiliary and then ordinary in sees connected to the Korean Catholic Church hierarchy, collaborating with prelates from the Korean Bishops’ Conference and visiting delegations from Japan, China, and Vietnam. His episcopal ministry intersected with issues involving the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific region, and interreligious dialogues with representatives of Protestantism in Korea, Buddhism in Korea, and Confucianism institutions.
Named Coadjutor Archbishop of Seoul in the early 2000s, Yeom succeeded predecessors in overseeing archdiocesan structures including the Myeongdong Cathedral, Catholic charities connected to Caritas Internationalis, and educational bodies such as the Catholic University of Korea and cathedral parishes involved with diplomatic missions to the Holy See. As Archbishop, he presided at liturgies attended by ambassadors accredited to the Apostolic Nunciature to South Korea and engaged with civic leaders from Seoul Metropolitan Government, members of the National Assembly (South Korea), and officials involved with the Ministry of Unification on matters related to the Korean Peninsula.
Elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis, Yeom took part in consistories and served on Vatican dicasteries, interacting with institutions such as the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, and the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See. He represented the Korean Church at international gatherings including the Synod of Bishops and meetings of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences, collaborating with cardinals like Angelo Sodano, Pietro Parolin, and bishops from the Philippines, India, and Japan. His cardinalate involved pastoral priorities aligned with papal initiatives, engaging with global Catholic figures such as Cardinal Luis Tagle, Cardinal Joseph Zen, and representatives of Caritas networks.
Yeom articulated pastoral positions on issues debated within the Catholic Church and Korean society, engaging in public discourse connected to the stances of Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis. He addressed topics overlapping with Korean public life, interacting with leaders from the National Assembly (South Korea), commentators from outlets like the Chosun Ilbo and Hankyoreh, and civil society groups linked to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. His theological outlook emphasized continuity with magisterial teaching from the Vatican II inheritance and engagement with initiatives from the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Pontifical Academy for Life.
Upon retirement he became Archbishop Emeritus of Seoul and continued to participate in ecclesiastical and civic events, contributing to discussions involving the Korean Bishops’ Conference, the Catholic University of Korea, and ecumenical exchanges with representatives of Protestantism in Korea and Buddhism in Korea. His legacy includes influence on clergy formation linked to seminaries with ties to the Pontifical Gregorian University, pastoral programs coordinated with Caritas Internationalis, and ongoing dialogues related to reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula with stakeholders such as the Ministry of Unification and international partners from China and Japan.
Category:South Korean cardinals Category:Archbishops of Seoul Category:1943 births Category:Living people