Korean Crucifix
Yi Seung-hun, a translator of Chinese Catholic texts, introduced Catholicism to Korea in the 18th century after going on a trip to Beijing with his father in 1784 and subsequently getting baptized as the first Korean Catholic. After returning, he founded the Catholic Church in Korea in the mid-1780s.
In 1801, Yi Seung-hun and over 300 others lost their lives under the Josean Dynasty and King Sunjo’s reign, as Catholicism posed a threat to the societal hierarchical system and the values of Neo-Confucianism. This event later became known as the Sinyu Persecution. Korean Catholics had to wait until the 1880s, almost 100 years after the church’s founding in the nation, to begin practicing their religion freely.
The religion has continued to grow in Korea. At the beginning of the 21st century, 4.5 million Catholics were in South Korea, equaling around 9 percent of the population. According to a study done by the Catholic Church in South Korea, the number of Catholics grew by nearly 50 percent in the last two decades. Today, Catholics account for 11 percent of South Korea’s almost 52 million population.
Professor Yeonhee Yoon of the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures acquired this crucifix in 2022 and donated it to the University in 2023. The crucifix is made of both metal and wood and Professor Yoon purchased it from Toegye Catholic Church, located in Chuncheon-City, the capital of Gangwon Province in South Korea.
The crucifix consists of a light-colored wooden cross in contrast to the metal body of Christ. The horizontal cross piece bears the name “Jesus” spelled out, and the vertical cross piece has a nail-shaped hole. The crucifix appears smooth and sleek, and carries the traditional “I.N.R.I” titulus at the top. The year of its construction remains unknown.