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PURPOSE AND METHODOLOGY OF EFFT

The purpose of the visit was to collect first hand information on the human rights situation in Korea and enquire into the reports of large scale and frequent cases of human rights violations and abuses, especially torture.

The report that follows is a result of the information gathered during the team's stay in Korea. The EFFT's observations on the Korean situation are results of interviews, discussions, meetings, on-sight visitations and actual witnessing of protests and demonstrations by students and families of detainees. The report of the EFFT is supplemented by appendices which appear at the end. These were provided to us by the Korean groups and give a brief resume of the different aspects of the Korean situation.

The primary objective of the report is to help CCA and WSCF, two regional ecumenical bodies, to determine future course of action in terms of fulfilling their prophetic mission in Korea. In this connection some recommendations have been made at the end which could be taken into consideration for future planning and action.

The visit was also an expression of solidarity and support for the Korean Churches who are in the midst of peoples struggle for a just wholesome human existence. It provided the EFFT members a rare opportunity to share the sufferings as well as the hopes and aspirations of the Korean people. The team members, in return, hope that their presence in Korea was a source of encouragement to the Churches and the people in their struggle.