Saint Joseph Cho Yun-ho

Saint Joseph Cho Yun-ho (1848, Sinchang, Chungcheong, Korea – December 23, 1866, Jeonju) was a Korean Catholic martyr and saint. He was the son of Peter Cho Hwa-sŏ and the grandson of Andrew Cho. Joseph Cho Yun-ho lived with his wife in his parents' home. He was approximately 17 years old when the persecution of Christians in Korea began. On December 5, 1866, persecutors arrived at the home of Peter Cho Hwa-sŏ and arrested him. Joseph Cho Yun-ho returned home shortly thereafter; although his father urged him to flee, he chose to surrender himself to the police. He was sent to prison in Jeonju alongside his father, and the two strengthened each other in their faith. Joseph Cho testified that he had been taught the faith by his grandfather, who had previously been martyred, and stated that he possessed no Catholic books. Authorities attempted to force him to renounce his faith through torture and promises of returning his property, but he remained steadfast. Because Korean law at the time forbade his execution on the same day as his father, Joseph Cho was executed ten days after Peter Cho Hwa-sŏ, on December 23, 1866. His feast day is September 20, as part of the group of the 103 Korean Martyrs. He was beatified by Pope Paul VI on October 6, 1968, alongside his father, and canonized by Pope John Paul II on May 6, 1984, as one of the 103 Korean Martyrs.