Stars over Bukchon

The Sinyu Persecution Sweeps Through Bukchon

In 1800, following the death of King Jeongjo and the accession of the young King Sunjo, Grand Queen Dowager Jeongsun assumed power as regent and issued a royal decree banning Catholicism the following year. Soon afterward, Catholic books were discovered in the home of Jeong Yak-jong, leader of the Myeongdo Society, and the government launched a full-scale suppression of the Church. In April 1801, key leaders of the Bukchon community—including Jeong Yak-jong, Choe Chang-hyeon, and Hong Nak-min (Luke)—were beheaded outside Seosomun Gate. The persecution spread throughout the country, and many of the faithful were executed or sent into exile.

The Faithful Protected Their Shepherd, and the Shepherd Protected His Flock

The first target of the persecution was Fr. Zhou Wenmo. Even under brutal torture, the faithful never revealed his whereabouts. Jeong Yak-jong, Kang Wansuk, Hong Pil-ju (Philip), and countless others chose silence and death in order to protect their shepherd.

Fr. Zhou, in turn, chose to stop hiding and returned to Hanseong to save the faithful. On 24 April 1801, he voluntarily surrendered at Uigeumbu, accepting full responsibility himself while defending the members of the Church. Just as the faithful laid down their lives to protect their shepherd, so the shepherd gave his life to protect his flock.

Becoming Stars at Saenamteo

On the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, 31 May 1801, Fr. Zhou was martyred at Saenamteo. He became the first missionary and the first foreign martyr of the Church in Korea. One month later, on 2 July, Kang Wansuk was also martyred outside Seosomun Gate. For six years, she had sheltered the priest, led the Church, and served as the first female leader of the Church in Joseon.

Stars That Never Fade

Although the Sinyu Persecution left deep wounds upon the Bukchon community, it could not extinguish the flame of faith. Through the Gihae, Byeongo, and Byeongin Persecutions, countless believers continued to bear witness to their faith through martyrdom.

Today, the Gahoe-dong Catholic Church commemorates the saints and blesseds associated with Bukchon and tells of their lives and faith.

Surely there were many more whose names remain unknown. Like the stars that still illuminate the night sky over Bukchon, the witness of both the remembered and the forgotten continues to shine to this day.