Ⅰ Overview Ⅰ. Overview 1. The Significance of National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights A. National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights (hereafter referred to as “NAPs”) mean comprehensive and systematic action plans at the state level devised to contribute to human rights progress in society through human rights friendly business activities and prevention of human rights abuses by businesses enterprises. B. The government has the obligation to preclude businesses from infringing on others' human rights―its duty to protect human rights―and NAPs are measures to carry out such obligations. C. The government is obliged to recognize the necessity of business activities for national development, while facing up to the reality of direct and indirect human rights abuses in the process of business activities. Thus, it needs to help business enterprises realize their responsibilities to respect human rights. Business enterprises, regardless of their sizes or regions of their operation, should not directly violate others' human rights during business activities, nor should be involved with human rights abuses throughout the supply chains in and out of Korea. D. NAPs were developed in order to join the efforts made by the international community to fend off human rights infringement by business enterprises. In particular, NAPs are to express the Republic of Korea’s support and commitment to the United Nations Guiding Principles (hereafter referred to as "UNGPs") endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011. E. Government ministries needs to understand and faithfully carry out NAPs as they include policy tasks meant to be implemented by them. 1