‘Orphan and North Korean Defector Advocate’ Joo Seon-ae, Honorary Professor at Jangsin University, Passes Away on the 19th

Joo Sun-ae, Professor Emeritus at Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary. Photo by CGNTV

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] Professor Emeritus Joo Seon-ae of Presbyterian Theological Seminary has passed away at the age of 98.

Professor Emeritus Joo Seon-ae, who passed away on the 19th, was a pioneering figure in Christian education. She was the first female professor of Christian education in Korea and laid the foundation for Christian education in the country.

In her mid-30s, she served as president of the National Women's Missionary Association, leaving a significant mark in the history of Korean Christianity. She devoted herself to mercy ministry and support for North Korean defectors, earning the title of godmother to orphans and defectors. Even after retirement, she cared for North Korean youth at her home, providing educational opportunities such as university admission. She was also close friends with Hwang Jang-yeop, who defected in 1997.

Professor Joo was born in 1924 in Pyongyang. After graduating from Jeongui Girls' High School, she entered Pyongyang Theological Seminary. In 1948, she moved south and graduated from Presbyterian Theological Seminary and Yeungnam University’s Department of English Literature. She then went to the United States for further studies, earning a master's degree in religious education from New York Theological Seminary and a doctorate in religious education from New York University.

Upon returning to Korea, she established Christian education at Soongsil University and taught there for six years. From 1966, she trained church leaders for over 20 years at Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Professor Joo spent her life standing with the vulnerable. She dedicated herself as director of Daegu Shinmang Orphanage, president of the National Women's Missionary Association of the Presbyterian Church of Korea, president of the National YWCA of Korea, chairperson of the YWCA Welfare Foundation, and director of the Comprehensive Center for North Korean Defectors.

In recognition of her contributions, she received honorary doctorates in humanities and education from Queens University and Jeonju University, and an honorary doctorate from Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She was awarded the Order of Civil Merit, the Peony Medal (1989), and the Magnolia Medal (1994). In 2010, New York Theological Seminary honored her with the Kim Maria Award, named after the independence activist and women's movement leader Kim Maria. In 2011, she received the Korean Women Leaders Award from the Korean YWCA Federation.

Professor Joo donated her entire estate to society. She gifted the Eunseong Monastery in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, as well as buildings and her residence in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, to Presbyterian Theological Seminary. The real estate she donated to the university is planned to be used for rebuilding the "Pyongyang Theological Seminary" after reunification.

Last year, when Saebit Sisters Association built a retirement rest house for retired female missionaries in Wonju, Gangwon Province, Professor Joo, as chairperson, donated 500 million KRW from her personal funds. Thanks to this, the rest house built on a 3,786㎡ (about 1,145 pyeong) site includes 26 rooms each about 23㎡ (about 7 pyeong) in size. This shelter for retired female missionaries with nowhere else to go became Professor Joo’s final gift.

The funeral will be held at Presbyterian Theological Seminary and Yeongnak Church. The funeral hall is at Gangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital in Gangdong-gu, Seoul. The funeral procession will take place on the 22nd, with the ceremony held at the Hankyungjik Memorial Chapel of Presbyterian Theological Seminary. The burial site is Yeongnak Hill in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province.

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