In 1827, Gokseong's 'Gyouchon'... Where Yangban, Jungin, and Nobis Were Equal

The 1827 Catholic 'Jeonghae Persecution' Unfolded in a 3-Volume Epic Novel

"There are many dramatic portrayals of apostasy and moments of death, but there is no content about (Catholics who migrated to escape persecution) forming 'gyouchon' communities and living together. I wanted to properly address such content."

Kim Tak-hwan, a writer who has devoted 27 years to historical and social novels, has returned to historical fiction after four years. Having illuminated 500 years of Joseon through his novels, Kim this time took the 'Jeonghae Persecution'?in which Catholics were sacrificed in the early 19th century?as his subject. The title is Saranggwa Hyeongmyeong (Love and Revolution) (Haenaem).

Novelist Kim Tak-hwan Photo by Haenaem

The origin of the novel is the 'Shinyu Persecution' that occurred in 1801 (the first year of King Sunjo's reign) during the late Joseon period. It is known as a large-scale Catholic persecution in which about 100 believers were executed and around 400 were exiled. At that time, intellectuals such as the Silhak scholars Jeong Yak-yong and Jeong Yak-jeon were massively executed or exiled, and many Catholics actually migrated south to escape persecution. Some hid their bodies in the mountain villages of Gokseong, Jeollanam-do, forming faith communities called 'gyouchon.' The novel sheds light on their lives and traces the context of the 'Jeonghae Persecution' that began in Gokseong in 1827 and spread to Hanyang.

The novel was inspired by Kim's accidental residence in Gokseong starting in 2018. He was inspired after seeing Gokseong Cathedral, which houses the Okteo Holy Site built on the site of a prison where Catholics were detained. At a publication press conference held on the 19th at a cafe in Jung-gu, Seoul, Kim Tak-hwan said, "When I saw the 'Peter's Rooster' on the cross at Gokseong Cathedral, I felt an electric shock in my body," and added, "I was curious about the inside story of how laypeople hid, united their hearts, and kept their faith."

The life in the gyouchon was just like the novel. According to Kim, those who migrated in 1801 created their own order and lived accordingly. They held worship services weekly and, unusually for the time, used the solar calendar to honor Catholic saints. At the time of migration in 1801, the community included nobles, merchants, and middle-class people, but by the time their identity was exposed during the 1827 'Jeonghae Persecution,' they had all become commoners who made earthenware pots. Kim explained, "Due to concerns about revealing their social status, aside from farming, the only work they could do was pottery making, which was mainly done by commoners."

The novel consists of three volumes. Volume 1 covers the time spent making earthenware with villagers in the Gokseong gyouchon to make a living; Volume 2 depicts the time of pursuit and escape involving Catholics, spies, and military officers; Volume 3 portrays the movements and waiting inside and outside the prison to bring back the priest. To add excitement, the novel is richly infused with elements of detective fiction. Kim said, "(At that time, the court) refrained from killing for 12 years and encouraged apostasy, fearing that a large number of martyrs would create a commemorative atmosphere. This was unprecedented in the history of Catholic persecution." He added, "A prison memoir written by a man named Shin Tae-bo was transmitted outside and even reached Paris, France. I tried to write that process as readably as possible."

Kim explained, "(The story of the gyouchon) is not about martyrdom, so it is not highly regarded even within the Catholic Church, but I wanted to revive it as a story by giving it a name and meaning," and added, "It was a writing project that respected them as beings with new hope."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.