Commission's Major Activities National Human Rights Commission of Korea Annual Report 2016 awareness about human rights or if their view is too distant from that of the general public, not only will they find it difficult to understand and adapt to the South Korean society, but they may also not be able to respond properly when their rights are abused. Thus, the Commission conducted a survey of North Korean defectors to hear about their experience of human rights in North Korea, their experience of human rights education after arrival in Korea and how much they understand about the relief procedures, and their perception of human rights issues in the Korean society. Based on the findings, the Commission will review effective policy measures to enhance the human rights awareness of North Korean defectors. 3) Increased international cooperation activities ● International Symposium for Improvement of North Korean Human Rights Since 2004, the Commission has organized an international symposium on North Korean human rights every year to promote its activities and roles to improve North Korean human rights conditions to the international community and discuss about the policy directions and strategies for improving North Korean human rights. In 2016, the symposium was held on 19 May jointly with the UN Human Rights Office in Seoul under the theme of Protection and Promoting Women’s Rights in North Korea with a Focus on the UN human rights protection mechanisms. The symposium had three sessions: the first session, which was moderated by Marzuki Darusman, Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights, was on human rights conditions of North Korean women and legislation. The second session, moderated by Shin Heisoo, member of the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, was on the UN human rights protection mechanisms. The third session, moderated by Park Gyeong-seo, chair-professor of Dongguk University, was about international discussions and efforts for human rights of North Korean women. ● Organization of an expert meeting on ROK and US policy toward North Korean human rights The Commission hosted an expert meeting on ROK and U.S. policy toward North Korean human rights jointly with the U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea on December 16 at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. 42