promoting human rights of migrants in a multicultural society; and v) addressing discrimination against socially vulnerable groups. It also established action plans on a special project to improve human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.(hereafter 'North Korea') In drawing its work plans for 2011, the Commission strategically analyzed internal and external factors as well as various human rights issues including organizational challenges caused by the downsizing and reorganization in 2009; increases in complaints and demand for human rights education following enactment and revision of human rights laws; higher interest in human rights both locally and internationally; and growing importance of interaction and cooperation with international human rights organizations. In addition to developing the 3rd phase of the Mid-Term Strategic Plan, the Commission included a task of becoming a trusted government agency which the public can easily approach in commemorating its 10th anniversary. 2. Major Achievements The year of 2011 witnessed human rights issues arising in diverse fields at home and abroad and greater interest in human rights, which drove the Commission to live up to its missions as a human rights watchdog. First, the Commission spared no efforts to have its voice heard on major human rights issues as well as legislative actions affecting human rights laws, policies, institutions, and practices. In particular, it assessed progress of National Action Plan for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (hereafter ‘NAP’) and proposed recommendations for the 2nd phase of the NAP (2012 to 2016) that reflected an assessment of human rights conditions and backgrounds in Korea and emerging issues from changing conditions in an effort to make sure that human rights underline national policies. In addition, the Commission reinforced its monitoring of human rights violations and discriminatory acts on a regular basis including conducting suo moto and field investigations Introduction 15