John A. Choi Jae-seon

John A. Choi Jae-seon (January 7, 1912 – June 3, 2008) was a South Korean prelate of the Roman Catholic Church.

John A. Choi Jae-seon
Bishop of Diocese of Pusan (emeritus)
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
SeeDiocese of Pusan
In office1957–1973
PredecessorNone
SuccessorGabriel Lee Gab-sou
Orders
OrdinationJune 11, 1938
Personal details
Born(1912-01-07)January 7, 1912
Ulsan, South Korea
DiedJune 3, 2008(2008-06-03) (aged 96)
Pusan, South Korea
Previous postPriest

Jae-seon was born in Ulsan, South Korea, and was ordained a priest on June 11, 1938 in the Diocese of Pusan. Jae-seon was appointed a Vicar Apostolic for the Diocese of Pusan as well as Titular Bishop of Fussala on January 26, 1957 and was ordained on May 26, 1957. He was appointed bishop of Diocese of Pusan on March 10, 1962 but resigned on September 19, 1973 after being appointed Titular Bishop of Tanaramusa.

Jae-Seon died on June 3, 2008 at age of 96.

During the Vietnam War (1956-1975) he was known for giving Saint Christopher medals and Rosaries and giving them out to American G.I.s on R & R in Japan (also to GIs stationed as peacekeeping forces in South Korea). The medals were inscribed with the Veterans Initials.

It was erroneously believed that the Bishop gave out Saint Christopher medals during the Korean War but he wasn't a Bishop until 1957 (4 years after the cease fire was signed).


See also
  • List of oldest Catholic bishops
  • Diocese of Pusan
  • Catholic-Hierarchy
  • Eman Bonnici (Jul 16, 2008). "Bishop John A. Choi Jae-seon". Bishop Emeritus of Diocese of Pusan. Find a Grave. Retrieved Aug 19, 2011.


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