Yanghwajin Foreigners' Cemetery
Encyclopedia
Yanghwajin also known as the Hapjeong-dong (Korean: 합정동) International Cemetery, is a cemetery overlooking the Han River
in the district of Mapo-gu
, Seoul
, South Korea
. Designated in 1890 as a site for foreign missionaries by King Gojong, the site is currently open to the public from 9:00am to 6:00pm and is located next to Jeoldusan Martyr's Shrine
. It is estimated that approximately 30,000 Koreans and 500 foreigners visit every year.
to look for a proper location for burials. Previous burials were conducted in modern-day Incheon
at the Chemulpo Foreigners' Cemetery.
Dr. Horace Allen
obtained the land rights of the bluff overlooking the Han River and called it Yanghwajin; so named for an old ferry crossing that once existed nearby. The site for the cemetery already had historical significance: in 1839, a number of French Catholic missionaries were put to death there and in 1866, a number of Korean Catholics were also killed in a mass execution on the nearby riverbank.
The cemetery was also a victim of close quarters combat during the Korean War and war damage to many of the grave markers is quite evident. Attempts to repair the fractured markers are minimal at the request of community members.
Originally officially maintained by members of the Kyungsung European-American Cemetery Association the 14,000 square meter (4000 Pyeong
) grounds have been unofficially taken care by foreign diplomats, businesspeople, volunteer groundskeepers and missionaries since its founding.
stating that foreigners were not allowed to own land. The grounds technically belonged to no one until the city of Seoul designated it a public park in 1965. In 1968, when the South Korean government passed a law requiring foreigners to register all land, the cemetery was curiously never officially registered. In 1985, a committee called the Council for the 100th Anniversary of the Korean Church was asked by Horace Grant Underwood III to register the cemetery on behalf of the Seoul Union Church with the understanding that the Seoul Union Church would be the unofficial caretakers. The committee agreed and a year later built a joint-use chapel nearby called the Memorial Chapel.
In 2005, the predominantly foreign congregation of the Seoul Union Church began sharing the Memorial Chapel with a Korean congregation composed of the former 100th Anniversary Memorial Church Committee. However, the two congregations began to disagree about proper caretaking responsibilities as well as who officially takes care of the grounds. On August 5, 2007, the Seoul Union Church was officially removed from the grounds including the chapel. The church, cemetery and adjacent museum are since the property of the Memorial Church.
Conflicting reports from the Memorial Church further claim that some interments would be disinterred in the future Memorial church leader Lee Jae-chul referred to the change in cemetery caretakership similar to the "Chinese retaking Hong Kong". The two congregations coexisted amicably until the death of Dr. Horace Grant Underwood III in 2004.
*These figures do not include the 23 known unmarked graves or the unknown number of Korean children from the Anglican orphanages buried on upper slope of the Anglican plot.
Han River (Korea)
The Han River is a major river in South Korea and the fourth longest river on the Korean peninsula after the Amnok, Duman, and Nakdong rivers. It is formed by the confluence of the Namhan River , which originates in Mount Daedeok, and the Bukhan River , which originates on the slopes of Mount...
in the district of Mapo-gu
Mapo-gu
Mapo-gu is a gu, or district, within Seoul, South Korea. It lies northwest of the Han River. Several universities and government buildings are located here. Mapo is especially well-known for the Hongdae club district around Hongik University. Seoul Metropolitan Subway Line 1, Line 5, and Line 6...
, Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. Designated in 1890 as a site for foreign missionaries by King Gojong, the site is currently open to the public from 9:00am to 6:00pm and is located next to Jeoldusan Martyr's Shrine
Jeoldu-san
Jeoldu-san is a rocky promontory overlooking the Han River in the district of Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea...
. It is estimated that approximately 30,000 Koreans and 500 foreigners visit every year.
History
The death of Presbyterian minister John Heron in July 1890 prompted the small but growing foreign community in SeoulSeoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
to look for a proper location for burials. Previous burials were conducted in modern-day Incheon
Incheon
The Incheon Metropolitan City is located in northwestern South Korea. The city was home to just 4,700 people when Jemulpo port was built in 1883. Today 2.76 million people live in the city, making it Korea’s third most populous city after Seoul and Busan Metropolitan City...
at the Chemulpo Foreigners' Cemetery.
Dr. Horace Allen
Horace Newton Allen
Horace Newton Allen was a Protestant medical missionary and a diplomat from the United States to Korea at the end of the Joseon Dynasty.-Biography:He was born in Delaware, Ohio on April 23, 1858. He lreceived his B.S...
obtained the land rights of the bluff overlooking the Han River and called it Yanghwajin; so named for an old ferry crossing that once existed nearby. The site for the cemetery already had historical significance: in 1839, a number of French Catholic missionaries were put to death there and in 1866, a number of Korean Catholics were also killed in a mass execution on the nearby riverbank.
The cemetery was also a victim of close quarters combat during the Korean War and war damage to many of the grave markers is quite evident. Attempts to repair the fractured markers are minimal at the request of community members.
Originally officially maintained by members of the Kyungsung European-American Cemetery Association the 14,000 square meter (4000 Pyeong
Pyeong
A pyeong is a unit of measurement in Korea equal to square metres . The similar unit of measurement in Japan is the tsubo...
) grounds have been unofficially taken care by foreign diplomats, businesspeople, volunteer groundskeepers and missionaries since its founding.
Controversies
Originally built for the members of the foreign missionary community in Seoul, the Kyungsung European-American Cemetery Association maintained the grounds until a 1961 decree by President Park Chung-heePark Chung-hee
Park Chung-hee was a Republic of Korea Army general and the leader of South Korea from 1961 to 1979. He seized power in a military coup and ruled until his assassination in 1979. He has been credited with the industrialization of the Republic of Korea through export-led growth...
stating that foreigners were not allowed to own land. The grounds technically belonged to no one until the city of Seoul designated it a public park in 1965. In 1968, when the South Korean government passed a law requiring foreigners to register all land, the cemetery was curiously never officially registered. In 1985, a committee called the Council for the 100th Anniversary of the Korean Church was asked by Horace Grant Underwood III to register the cemetery on behalf of the Seoul Union Church with the understanding that the Seoul Union Church would be the unofficial caretakers. The committee agreed and a year later built a joint-use chapel nearby called the Memorial Chapel.
In 2005, the predominantly foreign congregation of the Seoul Union Church began sharing the Memorial Chapel with a Korean congregation composed of the former 100th Anniversary Memorial Church Committee. However, the two congregations began to disagree about proper caretaking responsibilities as well as who officially takes care of the grounds. On August 5, 2007, the Seoul Union Church was officially removed from the grounds including the chapel. The church, cemetery and adjacent museum are since the property of the Memorial Church.
Conflicting reports from the Memorial Church further claim that some interments would be disinterred in the future Memorial church leader Lee Jae-chul referred to the change in cemetery caretakership similar to the "Chinese retaking Hong Kong". The two congregations coexisted amicably until the death of Dr. Horace Grant Underwood III in 2004.
Statistics
| Burials | Adults | Children | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missionary Community | 83 | 38 | 118 |
| Non-Missionary, Non-Military | 53 | 15 | 66 |
| U.S. Military-related | 26 | 38 | 64 |
| Occupation Unknown | 44 | 31 | 75 |
| Koreans | 12 | 11* | 23* |
| Totals | 221 | 133 | 376* |
*These figures do not include the 23 known unmarked graves or the unknown number of Korean children from the Anglican orphanages buried on upper slope of the Anglican plot.
| Known Nationalities |
|---|
| Australia |
| Belgium |
| Canada |
| France |
| Germany |
| Italy |
| Japan |
| Korea |
| New Zealand |
| Philippines |
| Russia/USSR |
| South Africa |
| United Kingdom |
| United States |
Notable Interments
- Homer HulbertHomer HulbertHomer Bezaleel Hulbert was an American missionary, journalist and political activist who advocated for the independence of Korea.-Biography:...
(1863–1949) American missionary and journalist whose headstone proclaims "I would rather be buried in Korea than in Westminster Abbey." - Ernest BethelErnest BethelErnest Thomas Bethell , who is also known by his Korean name Bae Seol , was a British journalist working in Asia as a correspondent for the Daily Chronicle....
(1872–1909) founder of Daehan Maeil Sinbo who died after being imprisoned by the Japanese army for exposing abuses against Korean civilians. Years after soldiers erased a defiant challenge to the Imperial Army on Bethel's grave marker, the words were replaced by officials from the Seoul Union Church. - Horace Grant UnderwoodHorace Grant UnderwoodHorace Grant Underwood was a Presbyterian missionary, educator, and translator who dedicated his life to developing the Korean society and Christianity.-Early life:...
(1859–1916) founder of the Seoul YMCA, Saemunan Presbyterian Church and what eventually became Yonsei UniversityYonsei UniversityYonsei University is a Christian private research university, located in Seoul, South Korea. Established in 1885, it is one of the oldest universities in South Korea, the top private comprehensive universities in South Korea, and is widely regarded as one of the top three comprehensive... - Henry Gerhard Appenzeller (1858–1902) who greatly contributed to the foundation of Pai Chai University
- Douglas B. Avison (1893–1952) who was a founder of Severance HospitalSeverance HospitalThe Severance Hospital of the Yonsei University Health System is a hospital located in Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, South Korea. It is the second biggest university hospital in Korea just behind Seoul National University Hospital. It has 3,700 beds, approximately 3,000,000 outpatients and 1,000,000...
. - Clarence Ridgeby GreathouseClarence Ridgeby GreathouseClarence Ridgeby Greathouse was an American journalist, lawyer, and diplomat serving in Japan and Korea. In Korea he was most renowned for leading the investigation into the murder of that country's Queen Min in October 1895....
(1843-1899) supervisor to 1895 trial of the murder of Queen MinEmpress MyeongseongEmpress Myeongseong , also known as Queen Min, was the first official wife of King Gojong, the twenty-sixth king of the Joseon dynasty of Korea... - Brevet Brigadier General Charles W. Le Gendre (1830–1899) French-born American general, diplomat and advisor to King Kojong from 1890 to 1899.