South Korean Catholic bishops host concert honoring martyrs to advocate death penalty abolition, blending faith and activism at Jeonju’s John Lugalda Festival.
Newsroom (15/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) In a blend of faith, music, and advocacy, a subcommittee of the Korean Bishops’ Conference staged a concert on October 11 aimed at honoring the spirit of martyrdom while amplifying calls to abolish capital punishment in South Korea, a nation that has not executed anyone since 1997 but retains the death penalty on its books.
The event, organized by the Korean Bishops’ Conference’s Subcommittee on the Abolition of the Death Penalty, was titled the John Lugalda Festival and integrated into the Jeonju Diocese’s annual John the Baptist Festival, which commemorates Catholic martyrs. Held since 2001 to mark the bicentennial of the Sinyu Persecution—a brutal crackdown on Catholics in 1801—the festival draws its name from Blessed John Yu Jung-cheol and Blessed Yi Sun-i Lugalda, a devout virgin couple executed for their faith during that era.
The concert featured performances by prominent artists, including singer Yang Ji-eun, tenor John No, mezzo-soprano Byun Ji-hyeon, and cellists Hong Jin-ho, Bin Ye-seo, and Kim Gwang-jin. It drew a diverse audience of priests, religious orders, lay Catholics, and members of the public, underscoring the Church’s role in bridging spiritual heritage with contemporary social issues.
A post-performance discussion highlighted the theological underpinnings of the abolitionist stance. Father Kim Young-soo, director of the Chimyeongjasan Shrine, stressed that Jesus and the martyrs defended “human life” above all, particularly the “spiritual life” bestowed by God. “Life can only be protected when we share and impart its precious value and meaning,” he said, linking martyrdom’s sacrifice to modern debates on capital punishment.
Jeonju Diocese vicar general Father Kim Chang-sin described the 25th iteration of the John the Baptist Festival as a tribute to the Korean ancestors’ respect for life and peace, while fostering broader societal agreement on ending the death penalty. “This has made it even more meaningful and enriching as we have prepared it in collaboration with the Committee for the Abolition of the Death Penalty,” he noted. Father Kim emphasized that martyrdom is not instantaneous but a grace cultivated through “daily faith.”
Complementing the concert, the Bibimbap Sharing Event at John Lugalda Square embodied the charitable spirit of Blessed Yu and Lugalda, attracting local leaders such as North Jeolla Province Governor Kim Gwan-young and Jeonju Mayor Woo Beom-gi. Additional activities included a platform for lay apostolic groups, booths showcasing religious orders, and hymn performances by Jeonju Diocese youth.
The Church’s initiative aligns with longstanding efforts by Catholic and civic groups to pressure successive governments for legislative reform. A Special Bill on the Abolition of the Death Penalty, first introduced on December 7, 1999, has been tabled and rejected nine times by the National Assembly. The most recent proposal, on October 7, 2021, garnered endorsements from just 30 of the 300 parliamentarians, leaving it stalled amid ongoing debates over justice, human rights, and public safety.
South Korea’s de facto moratorium on executions has held for over two decades, but abolition advocates argue that formal repeal is essential to align with international human rights standards and the Catholic Church’s global teachings on the sanctity of life. As Pope Francis has repeatedly condemned capital punishment as incompatible with human dignity, events like this festival signal the Korean Church’s commitment to translating doctrine into policy change.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from UCA News
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