KWANG-JU, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE of. - It is situated at the southwestern extremity of Korea and comprises the whole civil province of Zenra Nando, with an area of 13,887 sq. km. and a population of 3,500,000 inhabitants. It was erected on 13 Apr. 1937, by division from the native vicariate of Taiku, and was given the name of Kwaszu or K.-J. From 12 July 1950 the second name became official. It is entrusted to the Fathers of the Society of S. Colombano for the Chinese missions, who came from Ireland to Korea in 1933.
The mission of K. has 6,978 Catholics; 1,186 catechumens; 5 native and 14 foreign priests; 74 catechists; 52 teachers; 5 elementary schools with 566 pupils; 2 secondary schools with 92 students; 13 principal and 29 secondary stations; 9 churches and 23 chapels. The city of Mokpo, also an important port at the extreme tip of the peninsula, is the residence of the Ordinary.