National Human Rights Commission of Korea Annual Report 2020 [Table 2-2-4] Face-to-Face Petitions Submitted and Processed in the Last Five Years (Unit : cases, %) Petitions processed Classification Year Total Cumulative sum 62,009 61,651 15,537 25.2 28,929 46.9 17153 27.8 2020 2,529 2,376 314 13.2 1,047 44.1 983 41.4 2019 2,669 2,649 573 21.6 1,056 39.9 1,020 38.5 2018 2,648 2,654 570 21.5 1,171 44.1 913 34.4 2017 2,765 2,858 672 23.5 1,302 45.6 884 30.9 2016 2,619 2,479 495 20 1,004 40.5 980 39.5 Subtotal Petitions closed by counseling Petitions submitted Petitions withdrawn * The cumulative sum is the total from November 25, 2001 (the date of the establishment of the Commission), to December 31, 2020. 4. Civil Complaints and Inquiries As the national human rights watchdog, the Commission receives and handles various civil complaints and inquiries, in addition to petitions and investigations. If a complaint cannot be processed and investigated as a petition under the NHRCK Act, the Commission refers it to other remedial measures specified by law, relevant institutions or groups, and even legal counseling. The number of civil complaints and inquiries processed continued to rise in 2020, totaling 30,356. By channel, those received via e-People (pan-governmental civil complaint portal) were the greatest in number at 16,739 (55.2%), followed by the Internet (the Commission website, email, etc.) at 9,511 (31.3%), and mail service and fax at 3,973 (13.1%). Overall, 86.4% of all civil complaints and inquiries were filed online, including e-People. [Table 2-2-5] Civil Complaints and Inquiries Processed in the Last Five Years by Channel (Unit : cases, %) Classification Year Total Cumulative sum 264,289 Postal mail/Fax 59,445 Internet Presidential Secretaria e-People Others 27.2 119,878 54.8 703 0.3 83,131 28.4 1,132 0.5 2020 30,356 3,973 13.1 9,511 31.3 2 0 16,739 55.2 131 0.4 2019 30,149 4,749 15.8 8,545 28.3 1 0 16,663 55.3 191 0.6 80