Catholic bishops-new president

▲ Bishop Augustinus Kim Jong-soo (C), newly elected president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, speaks during a news conference in Seoul on Oct. 22, 2026. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Oct. 22 (Yonhap) -- The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea (CBCK) announced Thursday it has elected Bishop Augustinus Kim Jong-soo of the Diocese of Daejeon as its new president following a general assembly.

Speaking at a press conference in Seoul, the 70-year-old described the new role as "a heavy burden," but pledged to do his utmost in the position.

Kim will serve a renewable three-year term as the CBCK president.

A native of Daejeon, about 140 kilometers south of Seoul, Kim was ordained to the priesthood in 1989. He was named auxiliary bishop of the central city in 2009 and served as vicar general of the diocese before being appointed bishop of Daejeon in February 2021.

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