“Beheading mountain.” That’s the literal translation of Jeoldusan. It is a name that echoes the chilling history of this site. We are standing at the Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine. This shrine is a memorial to the thousands of Korean Catholics who were executed here during the Byeongin Persecution in the late 1860s.
Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine overlooks the Han River. It stands as a testament to faith and sacrifice. The shrine marks a dark chapter in Korean history. It was a time when Catholicism was brutally suppressed.
The story of Jeoldusan begins with the Daewon-gun. He was the regent of Joseon. In an attempt to ward off imperialist powers, he initially sought assistance from the growing number of Catholics in Korea. However, this decision was met with fierce opposition from court ministers. They viewed Catholicism as a heretical and dangerous influence.
In 1866, the political tide turned. The Daewon-gun launched a brutal persecution of Catholics. This became known as the Byeongin Persecution. Korean Catholics were seen as supporters of French fleets. They were rounded up and beheaded here at Jeoldusan.
It’s estimated that around 8000 Catholics were executed at this site. Historical records document 177 executions at Jeoldusan. Only 29 deaths were officially recorded. Twenty-four of these martyrs have been identified. Five remain unknown.
In 1956, the Catholic Church acquired this land. A monument was erected in 1962. It honored those who were executed here. To mark the 100th anniversary of the persecution, a church and museum were built in 1967.
The Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine enshrines relics of twenty-nine martyrs. This includes one who is unknown. The museum, now called The Korea Catholic Martyrs’ Museum, holds around 5,000 artifacts. These items belonged to the martyrs and document their struggles.
Pope John Paul II visited Jeoldusan in 1984. He paid his respects to the martyrs. Mother Teresa visited the shrine a year later in 1985.
In 1997, the shrine was designated as a national historic site. Since 2018, the Catholic Pilgrimage in Seoul. This includes the Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine. It has been recognized as an international pilgrimage route by the Vatican.
As you explore the Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine, remember the courage and unwavering faith of those who died here. Their sacrifice continues to inspire. It serves as a reminder of the importance of religious freedom. The legacy of Jeoldusan lives on. It calls us to remember the forgotten experiences of persecution in history.