Darakgol-julmudeom Cemetery
Darakgol-julmudeom Cemetery
The Darakgol-julmudeom Cemetery, located in Darakgol, Nongam-ri, Hawsueong-myeon, is dedicated to the victims of the persecution of Catholics during the reign of Daewongun. Many people of Catholic faith died in Hongju Prison, and their relatives transported their dead bodies in stealth at nighttime and buried them here. It is called Julmudeom or Julmyo, meaning linear tombs, because a number of bodies were buried next to each other in a line in one tomb site. The exact number of the buried bodies, victim names, or how they were persecuted are not known. But there are 37 corpses and judging by the fact that there are remains of 10 residential sites in Darak-gol, it is presumed that it was a Catholic neighborhood and was destroyed during the persecution period.
Darakgol is known to have been the birthplace of Choi Yang-seop (1821~1861), who studied Catholicism abroad and became the second priest in Korean history, following Kim Dae-geon. It's been said that he walked miles in stealth for his mission activities and to visit the neighborhoods of Catholics. The Darakgol-julmudeom Cemetery is considered a sacred ground that attracts many Catholics and those who are interested in Catholicism.