Sitting tall on a cliffside on the Han River, the Korean Catholic Martyrs' Museum is located in a spot of historical tragedy and religious significance.

A five-minute stroll from Hapjeong Station, visitors pass through a memorial park at the Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine before reaching the museum entrance.

In the late Joseon period, many Koreans faced execution for believing in Catholicism, which was introduced to the country in the 1780s through books sent by European missionaries in China.

The 230-year history of the Korean Catholic Church is marked by lengthy periods of persecution. A testament to this past is inscribed at the Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine, bearing the memories of the brutal Byeongin Persecution that began in 1866.

The name "Jeoldusan" translates to "beheading mountain," a chilling reminder of the tragedy when thousands of Korean Catholics were executed here.

Regent Heungseon Daewongun, enthroned in 1864, first sought Catholic assistance in preventing Russia's southward advance as imperialist powers sought to expand their influence in Asia. However, court ministers' objections to the involvement of heretical groups and their aid from France led to a shift in policy, resulting in the 1866 Catholic persecution campaign. By then, the number of Korean Catholics had increased to 23,000 from 15,000 in 1851.

• ·Korea to showcase advanced climate technologies at COP28 Dubai
• ·한동훈, 체포안 설명 8분 넘기자…“짧게 합시다” “왜 이리 시끄럽냐”
• ·합의문도 없는 희한한 북·러 정상회담…결국 비즈니스 관계였나
• ·합의문도 없는 희한한 북·러 정상회담…결국 비즈니스 관계였나
• ·Hanwha Ocean developing submarine stealth technology
• ·FSS issues advisories to fisheries cooperatives federation for W50b investment loss
• ·[이번 주 리뷰]美 Fed 기준금리 동결…이재명 체포동의안 가결(18~23일)
• ·FSS issues advisories to fisheries cooperatives federation for W50b investment loss
• ·Violinist Yoo Da
• ·[이번 주 리뷰]美 Fed 기준금리 동결…이재명 체포동의안 가결(18~23일)
• ·한동훈, 체포안 설명 8분 넘기자…“짧게 합시다” “왜 이리 시끄럽냐”
• ·"KTX 꼭 타보고 싶다" 했던 김정은 "만족한 합의"…뭐길래
• ·S. Korea's English proficiency slips 13 notches to 49th
• ·합의문도 없는 희한한 북·러 정상회담…결국 비즈니스 관계였나
• ·한동훈, 체포안 설명 8분 넘기자…“짧게 합시다” “왜 이리 시끄럽냐”
• ·야당 29명 반란, 이재명 방탄 뚫렸다