B. Main Topics 1) Issues with the Shrinking Regional Human Rights System A) Status of the Human Rights Ordinances and Organizations of Local Governments In 2012 and 2017, the NHRCK made recommendations and expressed opinions to prepare basic human rights ordinances and systems for the local governments. Approx. 10 years later, as of Dec. 2021, all 17 metropolitan local governments and 111 out of 226 provincial local governments enacted basic human rights ordinances, and the human rights departments were established within the local governments. However, with the launch of the 8th national simultaneous local election held on Jun. 1, 2022, the 8th civil election of the heads of local governments and the members of regional councils, there are concerns that some regional human rights ordinances may be abolished or that human rights organizations may downsize. In Sept. 2022, Daegu abolished the Human Rights Protection and Promotion Committee on the grounds that 99 of the 199 organizations established in Daegu would be consolidated and abolished for administrative efficiency.669) Civil groups operating in Daegu region expressed their opposition by holding press conferences demanding that the decision be withdrawn.670) The Seoul Metropolitan Government formed the 4th human rights committee, after about 11 months has elapsed since the end of the 3rd human rights committee. Other local governments are also reducing human rights departments in terms of organization, manpower, and budget. Chungcheongnam-do, while announcing reorganization, transferred the duties of the Autonomous Administration Division, which had a human rights team, to the Autonomous Safety Office, but excluding the “matters (duties) related to the promotion of citizens’ human rights.” Moreover, as a request for the abolition of the Ordinance on Human Rights was filed with the Chungcheongnam-do Council on Aug. 22, signatures from residents are 669) In accordance with Articles 7 and 8 of the Daegu Metropolitan City Ordinance on the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights, it has functions such as deliberation on policies to guarantee and promote citizens' human rights, and discovery of practical tasks. Since 2017, the 3rd committee has been operating for a two-year term (2021. 9. 8. ~ 2023. 9. 7., 15 people). 670) Maeil Shinmun, Civic groups strongly oppose the decision to abolish the ‘Daegu Human Rights Commission’, Sep. 21, 2022. 273