The World Cup has been a major topic of conversation around the globe, especially as it reaches its halfway point. However, there was another event that captured local attention during this time—a unique sports tournament that brought together religious communities in Ganghwa, Incheon.
This event was the “10th Neighboring Religious Friendship Jokgu Tournament,” which took place on June 21 at the Onsuri Anglican Church in Ganghwa. Organized annually by clergy and believers from Jeondeungsa Temple and Onsuri Cathedral, this tournament is a celebration of friendship between these two neighboring religious institutions. The event alternates between the two locations, with Jeondeungsa hosting last year and Onsuri Cathedral taking the lead this year.
Jeondeungsa and Onsuri Cathedral are not just geographically close—they are literally next-door neighbors, less than 2 kilometers apart. The distance between ‘Our Village,’ a self-reliance facility for people with developmental disabilities founded by Bishop Kim Seong-su, and Jeondeungsa is also about 1 kilometer. This proximity highlights the deep connection between these religious and social institutions.
Both Jeondeungsa and Onsuri Cathedral are architectural marvels. Jeondeungsa, reportedly established during the Goguryeo period, is surrounded by Samnang Fortress, a mountain fortress that uses natural terrain to its advantage. The temple features four ‘Nobuwang’ (naked woman) statues under the eaves of the Daeungjeon Hall and dragons, cranes, and fish depicted on the ceiling of the Daeungbojeon Hall. The Yaksajeon Hall, which has leaned slightly for 400 years, is often compared to Korea’s Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Ganghwa holds a special place in the history of the Anglican Church, as it was where its missionary work first began. There are 12 Anglican churches in Ganghwa alone, almost one per village. Onsuri Cathedral, established in 1898, stands out for its juxtaposition of an old hanok-style church and a newly built Western-style church. These sites are must-visit attractions for anyone exploring the region.
Jeondeungsa and Onsuri Cathedral share more than just proximity—they have a long-standing relationship of mutual support. A notable example occurred in 2019 when a fire destroyed the bean sprout factory of ‘Our Village.’ Despite the damage, the community rallied together. Firefighters donated generously, and donations poured in nationwide. Jeondeungsa contributed to the recovery efforts, and with insurance payouts and support from Incheon City, the total reached 3 billion Korean won. The factory was rebuilt more beautifully and increased daily production from 1.5 tons to 3 tons.
Even outside of crises, the exchange between the two institutions continues. Last year, Bishop Kim’s younger brother, who had built a successful business in the U.S., donated $1 million to ‘Our Village’ during a visit to his hometown. During a meal at Jeondeungsa’s public dining hall, Bishop Kim’s brother expressed his intention to donate the money. This donation made it possible to establish a facility for retired elderly individuals with developmental disabilities at ‘Our Village.’
Returning to the Jokgu tournament: the event featured three divisions—‘clergy,’ ‘athlete-level believers,’ and ‘general believers.’ Anglican priests and monks from various areas participated in the matches.
Each match had five players per team, following a best-of-three sets format. The clergy division, where priests and monks competed, was won 2-0 by the Anglican Church. The ‘athlete-level believers’ and ‘general believers’ divisions were won 2-1 and 2-0 by Jeondeungsa, respectively. Despite the results, the Anglican Church has historically dominated the clergy division.
The tournament day turned into a village festival, with not only believers from both institutions but also local residents gathering to cheer. This year, Ganghwa County Mayor Park Yong-cheol attended and delivered a congratulatory speech. After the matches, a feast was held, featuring Ganghwa specialties like Bandaengi fish, boiled meat, and radish kimchi. Participants and villagers continued celebrating into the late evening.
Amidst a season of frustrating news and oppressive heat, this story of unity and community spirit stood out as a refreshing reminder of what can be achieved through cooperation and mutual respect.
