South Korean Missionary Priest Finds Calling and Home in Cambodia

Long before he became a priest serving the Catholic community in Cambodia, Fr. Won Jonghyeok would imitate the celebration of Mass at home, using tables and plates as makeshift altar vessels.

The childhood game, inspired by the Masses he attended with his parents and older brother in South Korea, eventually became a vocation.

“When the priest at my parish celebrated Mass, I thought he was truly amazing. When I returned home, I would constantly take tables and plates to imitate the priest,” Fr. Won recalled.

Born into a devout Catholic family, Fr. Won was the youngest of two children. His parents, Won Yonhi and Kim Hesou, welcomed his decision to enter the seminary, particularly because his father and uncle had studied in the seminary when they were young.

“My parents were so happy! Especially my father,” Fr. Won said, adding that his grandfather had also hoped that one of his children or grandchildren would become a priest or religious sister.

His seminary journey, however, was marked by loss. During his second year of formation, at age 26, his grandmother died.

“After my grandmother passed away, whenever I faced difficulties or problems, I always prayed to her. I believe my grandmother is close to God and is interceding for my calling,” Fr. Won said.

His desire to follow Christ remained strong.

“He has the highest status, but He came into this world, took on human weakness, and gave up everything,” Fr. Won said. “I want to follow this example, and that is why I chose the life of a missionary priest.”

Fr. Won first arrived in Cambodia in 2009, spending three months in the Apostolic Prefecture of Kampong Cham to learn about Cambodian life and culture.

He was ordained a priest in 2015 and later spent five years in Rome studying canon law. After completing his studies, he asked his superiors to send him back to Cambodia.

“When I spoke with our superior, I said: ‘I have finished my five years of study, so I choose Cambodia! Please send me to Cambodia,’” Fr. Won recalled.

He returned to Cambodia in 2019 and began learning Khmer while serving communities in Phnom Penh and at the Takéo pastoral center. He now serves as an assistant priest at the Northern Phnom Penh pastoral center.

For Fr. Won, missionary service has meant more than bringing his own culture and experience to Cambodia. It has required learning from the people he serves.

“I lived and grew up in Korea; I have a different culture and different thoughts,” he said. “But in order to meet the Catholic faithful here, our Khmer people, I also let go of my own cultural mindset and parental attachments to follow Jesus.”

He said celebrating the sacraments and offering the Eucharist bring him particular joy.

“If my children, the faithful, are happy, I am happy with them. If they face difficulties, I feel their pain and worry deeply about them,” he said. “For me, I am not just a priest; I am their ‘father.’ My happiness is seeing the faithful at peace and joyful.”

A member of the Korea Missionaries Society, Fr. Won acknowledges that following a vocation is not always easy but believes that joy can be discovered even amid suffering.

He encouraged young people discerning priesthood or religious life to remain open to God’s call and cultivate gratitude.

“To the young men and women who are thinking about their life’s calling, I ask you to become grateful people—grateful to God and grateful to your neighbors,” Fr. Won said. “This is the most important virtue in all of our lives.”