Jemuljin Martyrs' Shrine

Overview

The Jemuljindu Martyrs’ Shrine is a martyrs’ shrine of the Catholic Diocese of Incheon on Jemullyang-ro in Jung-gu, Incheon. It is the largest martyrdom site in the Incheon area, where 1868 and 1871 Catholics, 10 in all, were executed after the Byeongin Persecution, and it is also known as the place from which Deacon Kim Dae-geon left for Shanghai, China in 1845 to receive priestly ordination. The nearby Haean Parish of the Diocese of Incheon administers the shrine.

History

According to the GoodNews shrine introduction, Jemuljindu became the largest martyrdom site in the Incheon area as the government sought to blame Catholic faithful and raise anti-heresy sentiment in connection with the 1866 Byeongin Persecution, the 1868 Oppert tomb-robbery incident, and invasions by Western powers. The Catholic newspaper explains that Heungseon Daewongun chose this Jemul ferry landing, frequented by local people and foreign ships, as a public execution ground. Jindu means a ferry landing, and although this place, together with Yanghwajindu (Jeoldusan) on the Han River in Seoul, saw many faithful publicly executed, it remained little known until the martyrdom site was identified in 2010.

There are 10 martyrs in all. In April 1868, 4 people were martyred by beheading, including Mrs. Kim, the maternal aunt of Peter Bak Sun-jip, the ‘witness to the deeds of the martyrs,’ her husband Son Neopjeoki (Peter), his son-in-law Baek Chimun (John the Apostle), and a grandchild of Maria Yi. The Catholic newspaper records that this execution was carried out with axes on April 20, 1868. In May 1871, the brothers Yi Yeon-gu and Yi Gyun-gu, great-grandsons of Peter Yi Seung-hun, the first Korean baptized Catholic, Mrs. Jeong, wife of Yi Jae-gyeom, grandson of Yi Seung-hun, and her grandson Yi Myeong-hyeon, together with Baek Yong-seok and Kim A-ji, were martyred here. According to the Catholic newspaper, Yi Yeon-gu and Yi Gyun-gu were martyred on May 6 for the crime of boarding an American ship to act as guides, while Mrs. Jeong, Yi Myeong-hyeon, Baek Yong-seok, and Kim A-ji were martyred on May 21 as criminals of heretical learning. Incheon diocesan material refers to Yi Seung-hun as ‘Servant of God’ and records that 6 people, including Yi (Son) Myeong-hyeon, Baek Yong-seok, and Kim A-ji, were executed in 1871.

This is also the place from which Saint Kim Dae-geon, after receiving the diaconate and returning to look over the situation of the Joseon Church for about 1 years, left in a small wooden boat for Shanghai, China in April 1845 to receive the priesthood. The Catholic newspaper reports that Kim Dae-geon left here for Shanghai on April 30, 1845 together with 11 faithful. It was also here in 1888 that the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres first set foot in Joseon through Jemulpo Port. GoodNews records the entry of 4 sisters on July 22, while Incheon diocesan material gives 3 sisters (2 of French nationality and 2 of Chinese nationality), so the figures differ. The Catholic newspaper states that 4 sisters (2 French and 2 Chinese) arrived, and that the ‘First Missionary Sisters Arrival Monument,’ commemorating the beginning of religious life in Joseon, stands in the park in front of the Incheon Jungbu Police Station.

Following the identification of the Jemuljindu site, the Diocese of Incheon purchased land next to the Korean-Chinese Cultural Center at the entrance to Chinatown in 2011 and, as a project commemorating the 50 anniversary of the establishment of the diocese, promoted its development as a sacred place, celebrating the blessing Mass for the Jemuljindu Martyrs’ Memorial Chapel in May 2014. It is one of the designated pilgrimage sites for plenary indulgences designated by the Diocese of Incheon for the 2025 Jubilee Year.

Architecture and Space

The Jemuljindu Martyrs’ Memorial Chapel is 15 m high and was designed in the shape of a flower blooming toward the sky and of God’s two hands embracing the martyrs. The Catholic newspaper notes that it was built in the narrow space between buildings and may be the slenderest chapel among the shrines of the Korean Church. At the entrance to the shrine stands a statue of the ‘Lord of Comfort and Mercy,’ with the right arm lowered to welcome pilgrims, and portraits of the Jemuljindu martyrs hang between stained glass along the narrow corridor leading into the chapel. Inside the chapel are cross-shaped stained glass, the Scripture verse “The truth will set you free” (John 8,32), reliefs of the martyrs, and a painting depicting the Jemuljindu execution ground at the time of the persecution; the painting also includes a portrait of Father Kim Dae-geon and a boat. At the entrance to the shrine there is a Way of the Cross. Behind Haean Church stands the 5-story ‘Jemuljindu Shrine Martyrs’ Spirituality Center.’

Related Places and People

• Haean Church: A church belonging to the Diocese of Incheon that administers the Jemuljindu Martyrs’ Shrine.
• Peter Bak Sun-jip: Called the ‘witness to the deeds of the martyrs,’ his aunt’s family is among the martyrs of 1868.
• Peter Yi Seung-hun: The first Korean baptized Catholic; the martyrs of 1871 are his great-grandsons and his grandson’s family.
• First Missionary Sisters Arrival Monument: Located in the park in front of the Incheon Jungbu Police Station.

References and Sources

1. GoodNews Catholic Information, Jemuljindu Martyrs’ Shrine. Confirmed the martyrs of 1868 and 1871, the departure of Deacon Kim Dae-geon, the sisters’ entry in 1888, the land purchase in 2011 and the chapel blessing Mass in May 2014, and the shape of the chapel.
   http://mobile2.catholic.or.kr/web/holyplace/?seq=4224
2. Catholic Diocese of Incheon, Diocesan Shrine Jemuljindu Martyrs’ Shrine. Confirmed the list of 10 martyrs and the year of execution, the departure of Deacon Kim Dae-geon, and the sisters’ entry in 1888 (listed as 3).
   http://www.caincheon.or.kr/intro/shirine.jsp
3. Catholic Newspaper, [Pilgrimage, Walking and Praying] Jemuljindu Martyrs’ Shrine of the Diocese of Incheon (January 22, 2025). Confirmed the background to the choice of the public execution ground, the identification of the martyrdom site in 2010, the execution dates, the chapel interior and the First Missionary Sisters Arrival Monument, administration by Haean Parish, and designation as a plenary-indulgence pilgrimage site.
   https://www.catholictimes.org/article/20250117500023
4. Incheon Today, [Open-Port Journey] In Search of ‘Haean Church’ and the ‘Korean-Chinese Cultural Center’ (April 2, 2021). Confirmed Haean Church’s administration of the shrine, the spirituality center, the land purchase in 2011 and the chapel blessing Mass in May 2014.
   https://www.incheontoday.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=207412