Memorial Honoring Pastor Ju Ki-chul, Leader of Shrine Worship Opposition, Opens in Uiseong

Independence Activist and Pastor Ju Ki-chul Who Opposed Shrine Worship
Martyrdom Memorial Opens at Former Uiseong Police Station
Uiseong Police Station Was Where Pastor Ju Was Taken into Custody

The Ju Ki-chul Martyrdom Memorial, dedicated to independence activist and pastor Ju Ki-chul (1897?1944), who led opposition to shrine worship during the Japanese colonial period, opened on May 19 in Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province.

Pastor Ju Ki-chul. Korea Church Federation

According to the Ju Ki-chul Martyrdom Memorial Association on May 19, the memorial was established by remodeling two buildings that were used as the Uiseong Police Station during the Japanese colonial era and constructing a new three-story building. The exhibits at the memorial introduce the life of Pastor Ju, his anti-Japanese activities, and the local area. The association noted that the Uiseong Police Station was one of the places where Pastor Ju was taken into custody.

The memorial was completed with a total project cost of approximately 3.86 billion won, funded by the national government and Uiseong County, with Uiseong County taking the lead. The operation of the memorial will be entrusted to Ju Ki-chul Pastor Corporation, a subsidiary of the association.

Perspective view of the Joo Ki Chul Martyrdom Memorial. Korea Christian Federation

According to the National Veterans Affairs Ministry's Digital Archive of Meritorious Persons, Pastor Ju graduated from Pyongyang Theological Seminary and served as a pastor in Busan and Masan. In 1936, he became the pastor of Pyongyang Sanjeonghyeon Church and began leading the movement against shrine worship.

In September 1938, when the National Presbyterian General Assembly capitulated to the Japanese authorities and approved shrine worship, Pastor Ju protested by delivering a sermon titled "Determined to Die" and urged believers to refuse shrine worship. He was subsequently arrested, tortured, and detained for a long period. Even after being released on parole, he continued to preach against shrine worship and, in July 1940, was sentenced to prison for blasphemy and violating the Maintenance of Public Order Act. He died in prison on April 21, 1944, while serving his sentence.