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Lives of the 124 Korean Martyrs
Kim Jeong-deuk (Peter)
| Date of birth | Sex | man | Place of birth | Daeheung Chungcheong-do | Position/Status | M.C.F. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age | Date or martyrdom | Aug. 25, 1801 | Place of martyrdom | Daeheung Chungcheong-do | Mode of martyrdom | beheading |
Peter Kim Jeong-deuk, also called ‘Daechun`, was born in Daehung, Hongju, Chungcheong-do. He learned the catechism from his relative Andrew Kim Gwang-ok and became a Catholic. Even though the details of his life are not known it is evident that he lived as a faithful Catholic.
When the Shinyu Persecution broke out in 1801, Peter Kim escaped with Andrew Kim to Museong Mountian, Gongju, taking Catholic books and religious objects with him. They lived there in hiding and tried to practice the Catholic teaching. However, as their names were well known, the police found them easily. Peter Kim was arrested and taken to Hongju while Andrew Kim was sent to Yesan.
As soon as Peter Kim was brought in, the magistrate of Hongju gave orders to interrogate him and torture him severely, to make him confess his sins against the national law and to betray his religion. But he never surrendered.
Soon Peter Kim was transferred to Cheongju along with Andrew Kim on the order of the governor. There they encouraged each other and endured much suffering and torture. Transferred again to Seoul, they were sentenced to death on August 21 (July 13, by the Lunar calendar). The order was also given `to send them to their hometowns Yesan and Daeheung, respectively and to behead them there.` The written death sentence on Peter Kim reads as follows:
"Never fearing the national decree which prohibits this religion, he asserted that `ancestral rites should be abolished.` Hiding himself in mountains, he tempted foolish people to believe in God. Despite the interrogation and torture he underwent, he did not surrender because of his strong personality. His crime is so terrible that he deserves to die ten thousand times."
On the way to Yesan Peter Kim and Andrew Kim could not walk because they had been so cruelly beaten and their bodies twisted. However, they did not lose their peaceful composure and kept praying with courage, thanks to the power of divine grace. When they had to part, they took each other`s hands, and said, "Let us meet again in Heaven tomorrow, at noon."
Very soon Peter Kim reached Daehung and was imprisoned. The following day he was taken to the market place of the town and was beheaded. It was on August 25, 1801 (July 17, by the Lunar calendar).
When the Shinyu Persecution broke out in 1801, Peter Kim escaped with Andrew Kim to Museong Mountian, Gongju, taking Catholic books and religious objects with him. They lived there in hiding and tried to practice the Catholic teaching. However, as their names were well known, the police found them easily. Peter Kim was arrested and taken to Hongju while Andrew Kim was sent to Yesan.
As soon as Peter Kim was brought in, the magistrate of Hongju gave orders to interrogate him and torture him severely, to make him confess his sins against the national law and to betray his religion. But he never surrendered.
Soon Peter Kim was transferred to Cheongju along with Andrew Kim on the order of the governor. There they encouraged each other and endured much suffering and torture. Transferred again to Seoul, they were sentenced to death on August 21 (July 13, by the Lunar calendar). The order was also given `to send them to their hometowns Yesan and Daeheung, respectively and to behead them there.` The written death sentence on Peter Kim reads as follows:
"Never fearing the national decree which prohibits this religion, he asserted that `ancestral rites should be abolished.` Hiding himself in mountains, he tempted foolish people to believe in God. Despite the interrogation and torture he underwent, he did not surrender because of his strong personality. His crime is so terrible that he deserves to die ten thousand times."
On the way to Yesan Peter Kim and Andrew Kim could not walk because they had been so cruelly beaten and their bodies twisted. However, they did not lose their peaceful composure and kept praying with courage, thanks to the power of divine grace. When they had to part, they took each other`s hands, and said, "Let us meet again in Heaven tomorrow, at noon."
Very soon Peter Kim reached Daehung and was imprisoned. The following day he was taken to the market place of the town and was beheaded. It was on August 25, 1801 (July 17, by the Lunar calendar).