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| A market in Daegu circa 1900 / Courtesy of Diane Nars Collection |
By Robert Neff
On the evening of Dec. 18, 1892, Father Jozeau, accompanied by his teacher and a servant, were passing "quietly" through the streets of Gimcheon. This month had been unusually cold and the three were trying to get to the home of a Korean Catholic as quick as possible.
The cold was not the only thing they were worried about. The people of this region tended to be intolerant to new ideas ― especially foreigners and their religious beliefs. Despite the fading light, they were soon noticed by a crowd of men who recognized Jozeau as a foreigner. It is not clear but this day may have been one of the market days which would account for the large number of men in the city at the time. The market experience was often made more enjoyable with several cups of alcohol which may have contributed to their hostility.
They jeered at the small group and began yelling threats that they would stone the foreigner to death. Jozeau, however, ignored them and continued to walk quietly, intent on reaching their intended sanctuary.
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| A Chinese sketch of the battle for Asan on July 27-28, 1894 / Robert Neff Collection |
According to one account, the crowd grew larger and the jeers and taunts became even louder and more threatening and it soon became evident to the French missionary and his companions that they were in a dire situation.
Just as they crossed the bridge near the market, they were suddenly attacked by a rowdy crowd of 500, although this seems like somewhat of an exaggeration.
According to one account:
"They [the crowd] threw themselves upon Jozeau, knocked him down, and kicked him to and fro. Ten times he managed to get to his feet, and was thrown down again; and after the mob had torn out his beard, they beat him unmercifully, and then tried to bury him alive in the sand."
Fortunately, as the sun was setting and the weather was growing cold, the crowd eventually dispersed, leaving Jozeau and his companions for dead. They were able to make their way to a Korean Catholic's home where their injuries were treated. For several days it was feared Jozeau might succumb to his beating but the 26-year-old Frenchman managed to regain his strength. His teacher nearly shared his fate as all of his hair had been "torn out by the roots, one arm was rendered useless and he was seriously ill-treated."
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| A sketch of Chinese soldiers robbing and killing Korean farmers in 1894/5 / Robert Neff Collection |
Soon, word of the unprovoked attack reached Seoul. The enraged French representative to Korea, Hippolyte Frandin, demanded reparations and called for the punishment of those involved. The Korean government acquiesced and the three principal culprits were condemned to exile and proclamations were posted in the marketplace warning would-be agitators of their fate if such an incident should happen again.
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| Jean-Moyses Jozeau's grave in Seoul in 2021 / Robert Neff Collection |
In the spring of 1894, the southern half of the Korean Peninsula was plagued with unrest. The Donghak Peasant Revolution was spreading and the Korean government asked China for assistance in quelling the unrest. Chinese troops were sent which angered the Japanese government, compelling it to send its own military forces to the peninsula ― under the pretext of protecting Japanese nationals and their property. War between China and Japan was inevitable.
On July 25, 1894, the first shots were fired off the coast of Korea. On July 27-28, a battle took place between Chinese and Japanese troops in Asan ― the Chinese were severely defeated and forced to retreat. Unfortunately for Jozeau, he encountered part of the Chinese army ― possibly near Seonghwan ― and was arrested immediately. According to one report, Ye Zhichao ― the Chinese commander ― had him summarily executed on July 29.
Considering the Sino-Japanese War was not even declared until Aug. 1, Jozeau wasn't a victim of war ― he was simply a person who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Robert Neff has authored and co-authored several books including, Letters from Joseon, Korea Through Western Eyes and Brief Encounters.
