Blessed James Won Si-bo

Jakob Won Si-bo (Korean: 원시보 야고보; born 1730 in Eungjeong-ri, Hongju, in the then-province of Chungcheong, Korea; died April 17, 1799, in Cheongju) was a Korean martyr and a blessed of the Catholic Church. Won Si-bo was born in Eungjeong-ri, Hongju. Around 1788–1789, at the age of 60, he became a Catholic along with his cousin Peter Won Si-jang, although he had not yet received baptism. Won Si-bo taught the Catholic faith, becoming known to many people. In 1791, persecutions of Christians began in Korea. Authorities issued an order for the arrest of Won Si-bo and his cousin Won Si-jang. Warned in time, Won Si-bo fled, while Won Si-jang was imprisoned and suffered martyrdom in 1793. Around 1795, Won Si-bo met the Catholic priest Jakob Zhou Wenmo, who refused to baptize him because he was living with a woman without being married. Following this, Won Si-bo dismissed his concubine. During subsequent persecutions in Korea, Won Si-bo was arrested in 1798. He was subjected to torture in an attempt to force him to renounce his faith. He died a martyr on April 17, 1799, in Cheongju. Jakob Won Si-bo was beatified by Pope Francis on August 16, 2014, as part of a group of 124 Korean martyrs. He is commemorated on May 31 with the group of 124 Korean martyrs.