Catholic Shrines & Places of Interest in the Republic of Korea (South Korea)
About the Catholic Church in Korea:
The Church has gone through various stages of persecution and suffered the martyrdom of many believers, especially during the 19th Century.
Pope John Paul II canonized a group of these martyrs in 1984, including St. Andrew Taegon Kim, the first Korean-born priest.
According to government statistics, almost half the population claims no religious affiliation. Of those who do, 22% are Buddhist and 11% are Roman Catholic. Catholicism has been experienced dynamic growth here in the last decade, with many conversions from Buddhism. This is in stark contrast to the more traditional …. and secular … countries of the west.
Yuna Kim:
One shining example is Yuna Kim, a silver gold medal winner skater at the Sochi Olympics in 2014. Previously she had won a gold medal in Vancouver in 2010. She converted to the Faith as a result of the example set by her physician who was himself Catholic. She always made the sign of the cross prior to going out on the ice….a great example for everyone. When people see her make the Sign of the Cross before going on the ice, Father Lee said, “It is such a great witness that this hero of the nation is a very humble and devout Catholic.”
Catholic sites in Korea:
Gamgok-myeon (coming soon)
Virgin Mary Catholic Cathedral
Naju:
Our Mother’s House (Julia Kim) coming soon
Namyang
Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary (coming soon)
Seoul:
Jeoldusan Hill of the Martyrs and Martyrs Museum
Myeongdong Cathedral (English Mass on Sundays)
