Shinjae Youh was born in Seoul, Korea in 1964.

Before joining the Society of Jesus in 2000, he completed his PhD of Forestry from Dongguk University in Seoul. After taking vows, he studied philosophy for two years at Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines. He worked for the campus ministry at Sogang University in Seoul for one and a half years during his regency.

He came to Australia in April 2007 and to study theology at Jesuit Theological College. On 08 May 2009 he was awarded his Bachelor of Theology.