The Diocese of Wonju was established on February 22, 1965, after being separated from the Diocese of Chuncheon, with Bishop Daniel Ji Hak-soon appointed as its first ordinary. The diocese covers southern Gangwon-do andparts of Chungcheongbuk-do, including Jecheon City and Danyang County, and its patron is Our Lady of Grace. This region is historically significant as it was home to many Catholic villages formed by the faithful who fled persecution during the late Joseon period.

During the Shin-yu Persecution of 1801 and the Byung-in Persecution of 1866, many believers sought refuge in the inland areas of Gangwon-do and Chungcheongbuk-do, forming enduring communities of faith. Baeron Shrine, located within the diocese, is the site of the first Korean seminary and served as a center for mission and clergy formation during the late Joseon era. The dedication and steadfast faith of the Catholics who hid in these mountains laid the spiritual foundation for the later establishment of the Diocese of Wonju.

The Korean War of 1950 deeply affected the Diocese of Chuncheon, from which the Diocese of Wonju would eventually emerge. Many priests were martyred or taken prisoner, and churches in places such as Wonju and Jecheon suffered destruction. After the war, efforts to rebuild the regional Church began, strengthened by the support of the Missionary Society of St. Columban, which helped construct new parishes and churches.

Since becoming an independent diocese in 1965, the Diocese of Wonju has played a leading role not only in pastoral ministry but also in the promotion of social justice and human rights. Bishop Daniel Ji Hak-soon actively participated in the pro-democracy and labor rights movements during the 1970s, contributing to the Church’s mission of social responsibility in Korea. This commitment helped shape the diocesan identity and guided its pastoral direction toward embracing both faith and social engagement.

The diocese continues pilgrimage and faith formation centered on historic sites such as Pungsuwon Church and Baeron Shrine. Pungsuwon Church is known as the first parish in Korea, while Baeron Shrine is revered as the birthplace of Korean clergy formation, drawing many pilgrims today.

Today, the Diocese of Wonju consists of 46 parishes and 43 mission stations, serving about 70,000 Catholics. The diocese remains dedicated to preserving the heritage of faith and presenting the history and meaning of Korean Catholicism to pilgrims from Korea and abroad.