Massacre on the Han River

In 1866, thousands of Catholics were executed near the Han River in what is now western Seoul. What began as a religious crackdown quickly escalated into a turning point in Korean history.

Amid fears of foreign influence, political instability, and growing global pressure, the Joseon government launched a campaign that went far beyond religion. The result was a wave of executions that would ripple outward, triggering foreign retaliation and setting Korea on a path toward forced opening.

In this episode, we explore the Byeongin Persecution, the decisions behind it, and how this moment connects directly to the events that reshaped Korea in the decades that followed.

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Produced by Joe McPherson and Shawn Morrissey

Music by Soraksan

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The Massacre on the Han River That Changed Korea

In 1866, a series of executions near the Han River marked one of the most consequential turning points in Korean history. What appeared to be a religious purge quickly unfolded into something far broader, shaped by fear, politics, and global pressure.

A Country Under Pressure

By the mid-19th century, Korea was facing growing uncertainty. Foreign powers were expanding across Asia, and new ideas were beginning to challenge established systems.

Catholicism, in particular, raised concerns among the ruling elite. It conflicted with Confucian values and introduced connections to foreign nations. At the same time, reports of Christian-led upheaval in China added to the sense of risk.

For those in power, the situation felt increasingly unstable.

The Decision to Crack Down

Under the leadership of the Daewongun, the government moved to eliminate what it saw as a threat.

Christianity was outlawed, and arrests began. Foreign missionaries were targeted alongside Korean converts. In 1866, nine French missionaries were executed, and Korean Catholics were rounded up in large numbers.

Many were brought to areas near the Han River, including what is now Jeoldusan, and executed without formal trials.

The Scale of the Violence

The exact number of victims remains uncertain. Records from the time are incomplete, and different sources provide widely different estimates.

Some accounts suggest a few hundred. Others estimate several thousand. The most commonly cited figure is around 8,000 deaths.

Regardless of the exact number, the scale and intensity of the campaign were significant. This was not an isolated event but a sustained effort over multiple waves of executions.

From Internal Purge to International Conflict

The executions did not remain a domestic issue for long.

One surviving missionary escaped and reached French forces, leading to a military response. French ships attacked Ganghwa Island in what became known as the Byeongin Yangyo.

This marked one of the first direct confrontations between Korea and a Western power and signaled a shift in how Korea would be engaged by the outside world.

The Long-Term Consequences

The events of 1866 set off a chain reaction.

Further incidents followed, including continued foreign pressure and internal instability. Within a decade, Korea was forced into treaties that opened its ports to foreign powers.

These developments contributed to a broader pattern of external influence, eventually leading to Japanese involvement, colonization, and the geopolitical divisions that still shape the Korean Peninsula today.

A Site That Remains

Today, Jeoldusan stands as a memorial to those who were executed during this period. What was once an execution ground is now a place of remembrance, reflecting a moment when Korea’s internal decisions had lasting global consequences.

Jeoldusan in 1971. Note that the sandy empty land across the river is what is now Gangnam.