SPOTLIGHT 25/10/11 Korean Church holds concert urging death penalty abolition

[성기화 요셉]

John Lugalda Festival held in conjunction with Jeonju Diocese's annual John the Baptist Festival, which honors martyrs

The John Lugalda Festival participants listen to a special discussion during a concert event to pray for the abolition of the death penalty held at the Peace Hall Seom-i Garden in Jeonju, Chimyeongjasanseongji, on Oct. 11. (Photo: CBCK)

By UCA News reporter

Published: October 14, 2025 11:37 AM GMT

Updated: October 14, 2025 11:59 AM GMT

A Catholic bishops’ committee campaigning against capital punishment in South Korea organized a concert to honor the spirit of martyrdom, while seeking to abolish the death penalty in the country.

The Korean Bishops' Conference’s subcommittee on the Abolition of the Death Penalty organized a concert focused on the abolition of the death penalty on Oct. 11, the bishops said in a statement.

The concert, titled the John Lugalda Festival, was held in conjunction with the Jeonju Diocese's annual John the Baptist Festival, which honors martyrs.

The festival has been held in the Jeonju Diocese since 2001, marking the 200th anniversary of the Sinyu Persecution (1801).

The festival’s title is derived from the names of Blessed John Yu Jung-cheol and Blessed Yi Sun-i Lugalda, a virgin couple martyred for their faith.

The concert, led by singer Yang Ji-eun, tenor John No, mezzo-soprano Byun Ji-hyeon, and cellists Hong Jin-ho, Bin Ye-seo, and Kim Gwang-jin, was attended by priests, religious personnel, laity, and civilians.

In a discussion organized at the concert, Father Kim Young-soo, director of the Chimyeongjasan Shrine, emphasized that what Jesus and the martyrs sought to protect until the end was "human life," especially the "spiritual life" given by God.

"Life can only be protected when we share and impart its precious value and meaning,” Kim added.

Jeonju Diocese vicar general Father Kim Chang-sin stated that the 25th John the Baptist Festival honors the spirit of respect for life and peace exemplified by their Korean ancestors in the faith, and aims to broaden social consensus toward the abolition of the death penalty.

“This has made it even more meaningful and enriching as we have prepared it [the event] in collaboration with the Committee for the Abolition of the Death Penalty,” Kim Chang-sin emphasized.

He pointed out that “martyrdom is not something that happens overnight,” but it is a grace “earned through daily faith.”

The Bibimbap Sharing Event, held at John Lugalda Square, was attended by North Jeolla Province Governor Kim Gwan-young and Jeonju Mayor Woo Beom-gi.

The event honors the spirit of sharing and charity of Blessed Yu and Lugalda.

Along with the festival, a sharing platform for lay apostolic groups was established, along with booths promoting religious orders, as well as a performance of hymns by young people from the Jeonju Diocese.

Civic groups joined by the Catholic Church have been pressing successive governments for legislation to completely abolish the death penalty.

A law seeking a blanket ban on the death penalty has been pending with the parliament for years.

The Special Bill on the Abolition of the Death Penalty was first proposed and tabled on Dec. 7, 1999. The National Assembly failed to pass the bill on nine occasions.

The last time the bill was tabled was on Oct. 7, 2021, and only some 30 out of 300 parliamentarians endorsed it.