John Lee Tae-seok

Father John Lee Tae-seok (October 17, 1962 – January 14, 2010) was a South Korean Catholic missionary priest, teacher, architect, doctor, and brass band conductor.[1][2]

In this Korean name, the family name is Lee. The baptismal name is John.
Father

John Lee Tae-seok

M.D.
Born
Lee Tae-seok

(1962-10-17)October 17, 1962
Busan, South Korea
DiedJanuary 14, 2010(2010-01-14) (aged 47)
Seoul, South Korea
Burial placeDamyang, South Jeolla, South Korea
35.370728°N 126.965663°E / 35.370728; 126.965663
Known forVolunteer work in South Sudan
Korean name
Hangul
이태석 요한
Hanja
李泰錫 요한
Revised RomanizationI Tae-seok Yohan
McCune–ReischauerRi T'ae-sŏk Yohan

Early life

Tae-seok was born in the city of Busan.[3]

Education and military service

He studied medicine at Inje University, graduating in 1987,[3] before joining the Korean military where he worked as a medical officer.[3][4]

In 1992 he graduated in theology at Gwangju Catholic University.[1][3]

Career

After becoming ordained as a Catholic priest in June 2001, Tae-seok headed to Tonj, South Sudan[3] where he established a school, a medical clinic, and a brass band. He also dug a well and cultivated crops.[1] The medical clinic treated around 300 patients per day.[1]

Death

After developing colon cancer, he returned to Korea in 2008, and died in January 2010, aged 48.

Tae-seok is buried in Damyang Catholic Park.[1][2][5][6]

Legacy

His work is featured in the 2010 film "Don’t Cry for Me, Sudan".[6]

His medical clinic continues under the leadership of his former student, Dr. Thomas Taban Akot.[3]

He is the first foreigner to feature in South Sudanese school text books as a result of volunteer work.[1]

The 35-member brass band's work continues and visited his grave in 2012.[1]

References
  1. "South Sudanese textbooks to narrate revered Korean priest". koreatimes. 2017-02-22. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  2. AsiaNews.it. "Sudan, the story of a Korean missionary ends up in school books". www.asianews.it. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  3. "[Interview] South Sudanese medical student honors S. Korean priest who inspired him". english.hani.co.kr. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  4. "Sudanese medical student, disciple of revered Korean priest, becomes doctor in Korea". koreatimes. 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  5. "Revered priest comes from South Sudan to Korea". english.hani.co.kr. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  6. "'Don't Cry for Me, Sudan' follow-up set for release in next month". Retrieved 2021-11-05.
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