Fr Hwang Jeong-yeon Javier SJ presents Pope Francis with a copy of the inaugural issue of the Korean translation of La Civilta Cattolica | Photo from Fr Hwang’s Facebook page
The Society of Jesus welcomes Fr Hwang Jeong-yeon Javier SJ as the next provincial of the Korean Province. He was appointed by Fr General Arturo Sosa SJ to succeed Fr Kim Yong-su Paschal SJ, who has served as provincial since May 2020.
Born in Seoul in 1967, Fr Hwang entered the Society of Jesus in 1996 at the age of 28. He earned a Mater of Arts in Philosophy at Sogang University and later completed a Master of Education in Counseling Psychology at the same university.
In 2003, he went to the United States to pursue theological studies at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, California. Three years later, he returned to Seoul where he was ordained to the priesthood on 28 June 2006.
Further studies brought him again to Berkeley, completing a PhD in Education, then to Rome in 2011 to pursue a Licentiate in Psychology at the Institute of Psychology of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He also served as professor at the institute, a role he held until 2024. During this period, he professed his Final Vows on 2 February 2017.
In 2023, Fr Hwang represented the Korean Province as procurator-elect at the 71st Congregation of Procurators (CP) held in Loyola, Spain. The CP is a key governing body of the Society of Jesus that convenes every few years to advise the Superior General. Reflecting on his participation, Fr Hwang shared: “I have been sent to the Congregation of Procurators by my fellow Jesuits. I ask for the grace to appreciate and practice the teaching of the Lord that no messenger is greater than the one who sent him (John 13:16).”
After many years in Rome, Fr Hwang returned to Korea in 2024 and has since been teaching Counseling Psychology at the Graduate School of Sogang University. He also currently serves as a Consultor to the Korean Provincial.
Fr Hwang will begin his new role as provincial on 11 February 2026.
