National Human Rights Commission of Korea Annual Report 2021 the establishment of a human rights institution in his presidential election pledge in 1997. In April 1999, the Joint Task Force of Private Organizations for the Realization of a National Human Rights Institution was established by 71 human rights and civil society organizations. After three years of hard work by the task force, on May 24, 2001 and during the Kim Daejung Administration, the NHRCK Act was enacted. Six months later on November 25, 2001, the Commission was established as an independent national institution. The Commission is a national institution dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of the socially disadvantaged and the minorities as mandated by the Constitution and other laws, and as recognized by international common laws and human rights conventions joined and ratified by Korea. It is an independent institution that is not affiliated with any of the legislative, judicial, or executive branches of the government. The Commission is a quasi-judicial organization whose procedures for investigating and redressing cases of human rights violations and discriminations complement the existing remedial procedures of other judicial agencies. It is also a quasiinternational organization in the sense that it implements international human rights standards in the nation and supports the authorities, responsibilities, organizational structure, and operation specified in the Paris Principles. With a view to protecting and promoting human rights for all, the Commission assumes four key functions, which are policy, investigations and remedies, education and promotion, and cooperation at home and abroad. In the realm of policy, the Commission makes recommendations and presents opinions on matters that warrant study, research, and improvement of human rightsrelated laws and regulations, institutions, policies, and practices. It also submits opinions regarding proceedings that have significant implications on human rights. The Commission’s investigations and remedies target human rights violations and discrimination in national institutions, local governments, schools, public service-related organizations, and detention and protection facilities, as well as discrimination by corporate bodies, organizations, and private persons without justifiable reasons. The human rights education and promotion function is aimed at raising public awareness on human rights, and the exchanges and cooperation function is to cooperate with various human rights and civil society organizations and individuals in Korea, as well as relevant international organizations and human rights institutions abroad. 04