The Most Rev. John Choi Young-soo, Archbishop of Deagu, passed away on August 31 because of a chronic disease at the age of 67.

Installed as 9th Archbishop of Daegu in April 2007, the Most Rev. Choi took the lead in renewing the Archdiocese so that it may play a role of locomotive for the Evangelization before 100th anniversary of its establishment in 2011.

The late Archbishop Choi, struggling against his disease, established 3 year-plan for centennial anniversary of the establishment of the Archdiocese and threw his effort into the improvement of the Archdiocesan structure, the change of pastoral attitude and the mission animation.

The Most Rev. Thaddeus Cho Hwan-gil, Auxilary Bishop of Daegu and at the same time Archdiocesan Administrator, paid tribute to the departed through a condolatory message saying, "Archbishop Choi made an effort for the peace and reconciliation of the region." and asked the faithful to pray for his eternal repose.

Rev. John Ha Seong-ho, Chancellor of the Archdiocese, reported that Archbishop Choi, in the midst of illness, cared much about the preparation for the centennial anniversary of the establishment of the Archdiocese and prayed for the development of the Archdiocese until the moment of his death.

As of August 31, with the death of the Most Rev. Choi, there are one Cardinal, four Archbishops (including two retired ones), 25 bishops in the Church in Korea.