National Human Rights Commission of Korea Annual Report 2021 In 2021, the team accounted for 782 (8.4%) of 9,287 total petitions closed. In that year, the Preliminary Investigation and Mediation Team could not perform preliminary investigation as it was assigned to deal with civil complaints in response to a surge in civil complaints filed with the Human Rights Counseling Center. To address this challenge, the preliminary investigation mission of the Human Rights Counseling Center will be transferred to the investigation division in 2022. [Table 2-2-8] Number of Petitions Assigned to and Closed by Preliminary Investigation (Unit: cases) Petitions assigned Period Assigned to the Total cases assigned Preliminary Investigation and Mediation Team Petitions closed Total cases closed Closed by the Preliminary Investigation and Mediation Team Total 32,067 4,329(13.5%) 31,855 4,329(13.6%) 2021 10,029 745(7.4%) 9,287 782(8.4%) 2020 9,016 1,210(13.4%) 9,272 1,234(13.3%) 2019 9,768 1,799(18.4%) 9,147 1,787(18.9%) August-December 2018 3,254 575(17.7%) 4,149 526(12.7%) 2. Mediation In 2021, all of the 14 mediation cases filed were dismissed. Since 2017, when 38 cases were filed for mediation and 19 of them were closed with mediation, fewer applications have been filed and very little mediation made. The Commission plans to analyze the cause and seek ways to facilitate mediation. 96