Joseon
Baekjisa-teo (Site of the White Paper Execution Ground)
Yeosanri, Yeosan-myeon, Iksan-si, Jeollabuk-do
Open in mapAbout this place
The Baekjisa site is visible from Yeosan Dongheon. During the Byeongin Persecution of 1866, under the administration of the Regent Heungseon Daewongun, Catholic believers were executed here. The method involved spraying water on the victim's face and repeatedly applying white paper over it to asphyxiate them; also known as 'domojisa' (塗貌紙死). This site represents a place where conscience and freedom of faith were suffocated by the rage and hatred of the isolationist policy. In the old dongheon courtyard, a cheokhwabi (anti-Western stele) erected by the Regent stands as testimony to the persecution.