Our Lady of Peace
Korean Catholic Shrine

Peter Kim Ip-dol was born in Jaam (present-day Bongrae-dong, Sunhwa-dong, and Uijuro in Jung-gu, Seoul) outside the South Gate in Seoul, the younger son of Peter Kim Seongsil and Barbara Yi. His childhood name was ‘Ik-dol’ and his father Peter died a martyr at the Police Headquarters in 1870.

His family became Catholics early on. Therefore, Peter Kim Ip-dol learned the catechism from his mother at an early age. He was baptized and received his baptismal name at the house of Mark Jeong Ui-bae the catechist. After that, he led a diligent life of faith. He met Bishop A. Daveluy (Antoine An Don-i) through Mark the catechist and received the Sacrament of Reconciliation from Bishop S. Berneux (Siméon Jang Gyeong-il).

As the Byeongin Persecution of 1866 continued, Peter fled to Gangneung in February (by the lunar calendar) 1868. He came up to Seoul in April (by the lunar calendar) in order to look into the situation of the persecution and he visited his neighbor. There he was arrested by the police. When he was arrested the police said to him, “Tell us the names of your relatives and acquaintances.” However, he replied to them, “I do not know anyone besides my family.” When the police told him, “You are young, so we will set you free if you say a word of apostasy,” he witnessed to his faith by saying, “I have been a constant source of anxiety to my parents because I have not learned much. How can I give them more anxiety by apostatizing?”

Shortly afterwards, he was sent to Jwa-Podocheong (the left bureau of the police headquarters) and underwent interrogation and torture. Peter Kim Ip-dol once again witnessed to his faith firmly by speaking as follows:

“Catholics whom I know died martyrs mostly or fled to somewhere else. I do not know their whereabouts. I will never apostatize even if I have to die from punishment.”

As a result, Peter died a martyr in prison due to severe torture after May 23, 1868 (April 2 by the lunar calendar) at the age of 19.