SHUNSEN, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE of. - It is situated in the central-eastern part of Korea and covers an area of 26,265 sq. km., with a population of 1,200,000 inhabitants, of whom 8,618 are Catholics, with 396 catechumens; 15,000 Protestants; 1,175,986 pagans.
The history of the evangelization of this mission is intertwined with that of the apostolic vicariate of Seul, from which it was detached on 25 Apr. 1939 and entrusted to the Society of S. Columban for the Chinese Missions. By decree of Propaganda Fide dated 12 July 1950, it changed its former name of S. to that of Chun-Chon. According to the 1951-52 statistical survey, the spiritual condition of this jurisdiction is as follows: 18 priests, of whom 12 are missionaries of S. Columban and 6 Korean priests; 3 Sisters of S. Paul of Chartres; 5 major and 2 minor semi-
narians; 7 catechists; 1 elementary school; 3 secondary schools; 1 orphanage; 12 sacred buildings; 14 quasi-parishes; 65 secondary stations.