College of Cardinals

Biographical notes

[Updated: 05.02.2007]

Notice: the biographical notes are only a working instrument for the press, for the exclusive use of accredited journalists.

Cardinal Cheong Jinsuk served as parochial cooperator and as teacher and vice-president of Song Shin High School. He was appointed secretary to the Archbishop of Seoul and chancellor, and was very involved in many activities at the archdiocesan level.

After having obtained a degree in canon law from the Pontifical Urban University, he returned to Korea and on 25 June 1970 he was nominated Bishop of Cheongju and received episcopal ordination on 3 October of the same year.

From 1975 until 1999 he was member of the executive committee of the Korean Bishops’ Conference and from 1983 until 2006 he was president of the Committee for Canonical Affairs.

From 1996 until 1999 he was president of the Korean Bishop’s Conference.

Ever since his ordination to the priesthood, Cardinal Cheong Jinsuk has always sought to increase the number of Korean Catholic faithful, who are a minority of the population. His aim is to reach 20 percent by 2020.

On 3 April 1998 he was appointed Archbishop of Seoul and on 6 June of the same year Apostolic Administrator of the diocese of P’yŏng-yang.

Created and proclaimed cardinal by Benedict XVI in the consistory of 24 March 2006, of the Title of Santa Maria Immacolata di Lourdes a Boccea (Mary Immaculate of Lourdes at Boccea).

• Pontifical Councils: for the Family; for Social Communications;
• Council of Cardinals for the Study of Organizational and Economic Affairs of the Holy See;
• Special Council for Asia of the Secretariat General of the Synod of Bishops.

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