John Lee Tae-seok, SDB (October 17, 1962 – January 14, 2010) was a South Korean Catholic missionary priest, teacher, architect, doctor, and brass band conductor.

[3] Born among 10 siblings in Nambumin-dong, Busan, he was baptized as an infant by ‘Father Aloisio Schwarz’ at Songdo Cathedral.

After completing his military service, he joined the ‘Salesian Society of Don Bosco Korea Province’ in August 1991, especially with a keen interest in youth education.

When he stopped by Kenya in Africa for a missionary experience on vacation in 1999, he met a priest named James, an Indian-born Salesian who was active in Tonj, South Sudan.

He studied medicine at Inje University, graduating in 1987,[3] before joining the Korean military where he worked as a medical officer.

[1][3] He left to Africa as a missionary in October 2001 and was appointed to Tonj, Warab state of southern Sudan, on 7 December.

The reason I was able to come here and live happily without regret after leaving many precious things is because of the mysterious power of a leper (Hansen people) who allows me to experience the presence of the Lord.

After becoming ordained as a Catholic priest in June 2001, Tae-seok headed to Tonj, South Sudan[3] where he established a school, a medical clinic, and a brass band.

Fr John is a priest of the Society of St Francis de Sales (Salesians of Don Bosco).

He built a school for those who had no place to learn and to treat the young people who had been physically and mentally wounded due to the war, he taught music.

However, when he briefly entered Korea on vacation in November 2008, he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and could not return to Tonj.

It also published in "Bible Life" by the ‘Caritas Sisters of Jesus’ and also introduced in a book titled "Father, Will You Be My Friend?".