National Human Rights Commission of Korea Annual Report 2022 The Commission handled a total of 65,989 consultations, petitions, and other inquiries. We received 10,573 petitions and processed 10,345 cases, of which 1,306 cases were remedied. In addition to addressing petitions, the Commission also worked to assess the human rights situation and ensure effective remedies by employing emergency relief measures, conducting suo motu investigations, and undertaking on-site visits. The Commission provided human rights education to a total of 582,733 individuals across different sectors, including public institutions, schools, the military, and social welfare. Thirty-two new human rights instructors were appointed and efforts were made towards the establishment of a dedicated Human Rights Training Institute to further enhance human rights education. In 2022, with the establishment of the Military Human Rights Protector and the Bureau of Human Rights in Military, the Commission laid a solid foundation for effectively carrying out tasks related to the safeguarding and improvement of human rights within the military. Additionally, the Commission was actively involved in efforts to pass the Equality Bill as part of its commitment to implementing international recommendations, resolving conflicts stemming from discrimination, and fostering a society that values diversity. In 2022, the Chairperson of the Commission was elected as the Chair of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF) and played a leading role in enhancing cooperation among human rights institutions in the Asia Pacific region and discussing key human rights issues in the international community. Additionally, in the absence of an international normative framework for the protection of older persons’ rights, the Commission drafted a Convention on the Rights of Older Persons and presented it to the international community, demonstrating its leadership in the field of human rights. This annual report provides an overview of our activities and significant decisions made during the year 2022. We hope that this report serves as a valuable resource to increase public interest and understanding of the Commission’s role and human rights, as well as to foster greater appreciation for human rights within society. Moving forward, the Commission remains steadfast in acknowledging the responsibility as a national human rights institution. We will continue our capacity-building endeavors to promote and protect human rights, take proactive mweasures to address human rights issues, and steadily expand the foundation for human rights. Through these efforts, we are committed to realizing a society where the dignity, equality, and freedom of every individual are upheld. Thank you. Song, Doo-hwan Chairperson of NHRCK