Sahmyook University and its museum hosted a commemorative event on November 1 at the Jeokmok-ri Faith Community Heritage Site in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province. Held under the theme “The Road to Jeokmok-ri – A Journey of Faith and Patriotism,” the event celebrated the university’s 118th anniversary and reflected on the historical significance of the Jeokmok-ri community.

The Jeokmok-ri Faith Community was established in the 1940s by Seventh-day Adventists seeking refuge from Japanese imperial oppression. Located in a remote mountainous area in Buk-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, the community practiced collective living, surviving on the bare minimum while preserving their faith. They welcomed all who sought religious freedom and later dispersed across the nation, engaging in enlightenment and evangelical activities inspired by their belief in independence.

The Jeokmok-ri Faith Heritage Site has been likened to historical refuges such as the Roman catacombs, where early Christians sought shelter, and the Alpine strongholds of the Waldensians, who defended religious truth and freedom in medieval Europe. Recognized for its unique role as Korea’s only collective anti-colonial faith community site, it was designated as Gapyeong County Local Cultural Asset No. 13 in 2015.

For decades, Sahmyook University has led efforts to preserve and promote the legacy of Jeokmok-ri, spearheaded by former Theological Seminary Dean Lee Jong-geun. Last year, the family of the late Pastor Shin Tae-sik, who led the Jeokmok-ri community, contributed 2 billion KRW (approximately $1.5 million USD) to support the commemorative projects, providing further momentum.

Around 50 attendees joined the event, including Sahmyook University President Jae Hae-jong, Museum Director Kim Cheol-ho, Jeokmok-ri Village Head Lee Sang-ki, descendants of the Jeokmok-ri community, faculty, students, and local residents. The program included a solemn tribute to fallen patriots, hymns, prayers, a historical overview of the community, reflections, poetry readings, songs, and commemorative speeches, concluding with a shared lunch prepared by the village.

In his address, President Jae Hae-jong emphasized, “The Jeokmok-ri site symbolizes the hope, courage, and faith of Adventists who resisted the oppressive forces of Japanese rule through communal strength. This monument we’ve established here serves as a lasting reminder of the importance of preserving historical awareness. We must continue to embody and practice the spirit of this community.”

Attendees also explored a newly discovered historical relic—a set of stone holes used for water blocking (known as dongmagi)—recently identified by village head Lee Sang-ki near the Jeokmok-ri site. These structures were integral to the community’s timber transport operations. The community harvested timber from the surrounding mountains and used it to make railroad ties under contract with the Kyungchun Railway Timber Company. Logs were floated downstream on rafts after breaching the water barriers, demonstrating the community’s resilience and resourcefulness in sustaining their livelihood under challenging conditions.

Lee Jong-geun explained the historical significance, stating, “Jeokmok-ri’s steep terrain and lack of transport infrastructure required innovative methods like these to move timber to the valleys near the Kyungchun Railway. This discovery is an undeniable testament to the exploitation of forests and natural resources during the Japanese occupation and provides invaluable insights into Korea’s resistance movements during that era.”