History of Protestant Christianity in Jeju Island

It takes one hour by air from Seoul.

Jeju is the most famous island in Korea.

Jeju's terrain is simple; Mt. Halla is at the center of Jeju Island, so Mt. Halla is visible everywhere in Jeju.

On the map, if we turn it upside down, Jeju is the center of Asia.

Jeju is a crucial connection between the continent(Russia, China) and the ocean(Japan, Southeast Asia) and is a world-class tourist destination with beautiful natural scenery. Jeju has the potential as a mission center following its geographical place.

If you look at it backward

beautiful Jeju

Jeju Island is often symbolically referred to as the island of "Three Abundances" or "Samda," representing wind, stones, and women.

Wind: Jeju Island's geographical location exposes it to strong and frequent winds

Stones: The island is volcanic. The volcanic activity has resulted in abundant basalt and lava stones across the island. These stones have been used for many purposes, including building traditional houses and stone walls.

Women: The term "women" in this context refers to the "Haenyeo" or "sea women," who are female divers on Jeju Island. The Haenyeo dive without any breathing apparatus to gather shellfish, seaweed, and other marine products. This tradition, which goes back centuries, arose because many men were lost at sea while fishing, leading women to become the primary earners in many families. The Haenyeo culture is so significant that it was designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2016.

So, the phrase "women, wind, and stones" reflects Jeju Island's physical geography and the unique cultural traditions that have developed there.

The Pain of Jeju Related to Christianity

In 1901, Catholic priests, Catholics, and officials collaborated to exploit Jeju residents, resulting in Lee Jae-soo's rebellion.

Hundreds of Jeju people were killed. Jeju people became full of antipathy and anger toward Christianity.

There is a story of a beautiful missionary in Jeju.

In Jeju, two faith communities were created spontaneously before the missionaries came in. Iho-ri Community and Geumseong-ri Community.

As for the first community, I would like to introduce young man Kim Jae-won.

Kim Jae-won, born into a relatively generous family and learning his studies, had a swollen stomach without knowing the name of the disease. He tried everything he could but waited for the day he died because the cause was unknown.

a meeting with a missionary

Then, his father heard rumors about a modern hospital called " Chejungwon " in Seoul. Chejungwon is Korea's first modern hospital, created by missionary Allen in the United States.

He and his father visited and met missionary Ebison with a feeling of grasping straws.

The hospital has become Severance Hospital, established by famous missionaries.

Kim Jae-won's condition was so serious that the missionary refused treatment. However, missionary Evison promised Kim Jae-won, who desperately asked for treatment, "If you believe in Jesus, I will do my best to perform the procedure."

After several major surgeries, Kim Jae-won was completely cured of the disease. During his two years of treatment in Seoul, he listened to the gospel through an Ebison missionary and was baptized.

Despite the severe persecution...

Young man Kim Jae-won returned to Jeju and began to preach the gospel to people.

On Jeju Island, he had many difficulties with his family because of his faith in Jesus, but he overcame it and evangelized many people.

Through his missionary work, some people believed in Jesus.

a self-sustaining community without missionaries

There were two faith communities in Jeju-do. “Ihori Faith Community” started in 1904 and was founded by an evangelizing Kim Jae Won.

The second community is “Kumsungri” faith Community.

“Kumsungri Community,” the second faith community established in 1907 by Cho Bong Ho, showed deep interest in the modernization and education of Jeju-do. Kumsungri Community put the Christian faith alongside the patriotic spirit.

Cho Bong-ho leaves for Seoul at the age of 19.

The school he entered was Kyungshin School, founded by Underwood Missionary.

While attending this school, Cho Bong-ho accepted the spirit of patriotism and his Christian faith early on.

And he attended Soongsil University in Pyongyang and lived a religious life at Jangdaehyeon Church. Meanwhile, in 1907, he received a message that his father was in critical condition and returned to his hometown of Geumseong-ri, Jeju.

Jo Bong-ho continued his religious life in his hometown, naturally preached the gospel to the people he met, and made Kumsungri Community.

Proud independence fighter Christians

He campaigned for independence against Japan and was eventually captured and imprisoned.

The people of Jeju built a large tower in his honor, and on the top of the tower, a cross that uniquely means his faith. This is unique in Jeju, where there are many non-Christians.

The communities asked the missionary in Seoul to send a pastor.

So, the Missionary sent one of the first Presbyterian pastors in Korea, missionary Lee Ki-pung to Jeju Island for the first time in the history of the Korean church.

Missionary Lee Ki-pung founded Jeju Seongan Church and established many churches. And then there are 450 churches now on Jeju island.

Two themes in the church history of Jeju-do can be confirmed through these communities.

Jeju's first church 'Jeju Seongahn Church' was built by Lee GiPung.

Two themes in the church history of Jeju-do can be confirmed through these communities.

First, the natives conducted the service meeting and pulled together with missionaries, and then churches of Jeju-do sprung up.

He is called the Paul Apostle of Korea.

He was dispatched as the first overseas missionary of the Korean church. Many people died when the ship to Jeju was wrecked, but he survived by relying on pieces of wood. When he collapsed from hunger and fatigue while preaching the gospel in Jeju, a haenyeo found him, fed him, and spared him.

It is peaceful and beautiful Jeju Island, but Jeju is also a land of pain.

In 1948, one-sixth of the population of Jeju was killed.

At that time, there were many conflicts with ideology.

On April 3, 1948, both those who were active in that movement and ordinary people from Jeju, including children, were targeted for killings, detention, and torture by right-wing Korean police and paramilitary forces, who were under the control of U.S. military forces occupying the South, including Jeju.

The government army killed as many as 15,000 people for capturing.

Left-wing forces and beautiful Jeju were stained with blood.

There was a murder of hatred and sin madness.

Churches in Jeju finally wipe Jeju's tears.

The Jeju Church has been silent on the sensitive issue for 70 years, but in 2018, the Jeju Church united and worshiped Together and had a time of pain and tears.

Jeju is also a land of pain, but God treats, renews, and plays a role in God's mission.

Once upon a time, Jeju was the worst exile. No one wanted to go there. Jeju was a lonely place, a marginalized place, and a place of oppression.

This camellia symbolizes Jeju.

Camellia means Hope.

The meaning of this camellia flower is hope, at least in Jeju.

Jeju had pain, but it talks about hope. For Christ wipes away the tears of the sick and lifts the vulnerable.

Jeju will become an international missionary city and a healing land for many tourists.

We can call Jeju island "hope island" in the Lord.

This page is curated by Sunghoo Moon, an M.A.R. Student at Drew Theological School.