Introduction Chapter 3 National Human Rights Commission of Korea Annual Report 2016 Basic Directions and Key Achievements 1. Basic Directions The Commission concentrated efforts on implementing a three-year mid-term plan titled the 4th NHRCK Action Plan for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. In 2016, which is the second year of the mid-term plan, the Commission managed programmes designed to achieve the four strategic objectives outlined in the plan (laying a foundation for promotion of human rights, protecting the human rights of the vulnerable and the marginalized, promoting the values of human rights across society, and strengthening cooperation and facilitating public discussion of human rights issues). Efforts were also made to raise the status of the Commission, and to encourage public support and confidence in it. These included successful implementation of programmes, timely and effective achievement of the human rights agenda, strengthening cooperation at home and abroad based on communication, concurrence, and engagement, and enhanced the professionalism of its members. 2. Major Achievements A. Four Strategic Objectives 1) Laying a foundation for promotion of human rights Increasing guarantee of the right to freedom The Commission expressed its opposition to the Protective Custody bill, which authorizes repeated punishment for certain categories of criminals; expressed its opinion regarding the proposed partial amendment to the Medical Treatment and Custody Act, which requires those whose medical treatment and custody has expired to be placed under protective supervision; submitted its opinion to the Constitutional Court regarding conscientious objection and introduction of alternative military services; and worked towards the guarantee of the right to 8