Gwandeokjeongwas originally a pavilion built during the reign of King Sejong for militarytraining. During the 1901 신축교안(Shinchuk Persecution), manyCatholics were executed here by rebel forces. The royal government haddispatched a bongse-gwan (taxoverseer) to Jeju to secure additional revenue, but excessive taxation provokedthe resentment of the population.

Compoundingthis were misunderstandings caused by several Catholics who had been used asintermediaries in tax collection, as well as the Church’s efforts to correctsuperstitious and un-Christian local customs, which led to conflict withresidents. Ultimately, opposition to both excessive taxation and what wasperceived as aggressive Church activity sparked an uprising.

Duringthis tragedy, more than 700 Catholics and civilians were killed atGwandeokjeong and nearby areas. The remains of the Catholic victims were latertransferred to 황사평 성지(Hwangsapyeong Shrine), where they rest togetherin a communal grave.