Fr John Che-chon Chong SJ assumes office as Provincial of the Korea Province of the Society of Jesus on September 1, 2014. He was appointed in May by Fr Adolfo Nicolás, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, to succeed Fr John Won-sik Sin SJ, who has served as Korean Provincial for six years from September 2008.
Fr Chong was born in Kwang-ju, South Korea in 1957. Before joining the Society in 1990, he studied Law in Seoul National University. After philosophy studies and regency in Seoul, he was sent to Spain for his theology studies. He was ordained on July 1, 1996 and went on to do further studies. Fr Chong completed his doctorate in sacred theology (STD), in spirituality, at Comillas Pontifical University in 2000.
After returning to Korea, he worked as professor and spiritual director at Kwang-ju Catholic University. In 2009, he was appointed Socius to the Provincial, but continued with pastoral ministries, especially giving retreats and lectures to the Religious. In 2012, Fr Chong participated in the 70th Congregation of Procurators in Nairobi, Kenya as Procurator of the Korea Province.
Fr Chong has professional experience as an administrator, lecturer and spiritual director, and pays special attention to social justice and ecology issues in Korea. Before his appointment as Provincial, he served as the Delegate of formation and the Superior of Xavier Community in Seoul.
