National Human Rights Commission of Korea Annual Report 2021 Chapter 3 Basic Directions and Major Achievements 1. Basic Directions In 2020, one year before its 20th anniversary, the Commission developed its five-year Human Rights Promotion Action Plan for the period 2021 through 2025, with three strategic objectives and 21 performance objectives. The Commission’s annual business plan for 2021 was based on this action plan, and various efforts were made towards achieving the strategic and performance objectives. To garner increased public trust and support, it improved the way it conducts business, responded to various human rights issues in a timely and effective manner, worked as a quasiinternational organization, expanded cooperation with domestic and international partners, and played an increasing role in safeguarding and promoting human rights. 2. Major Achievements by Strategies & Objectives A. ‌Preemptive response to a rapidly changing human rights environment and global disaster and crisis situations 1) Guaranteeing human dignity and rights under disaster situations While the government and the public are continuing their efforts to overcome the global COVID-19 pandemic, the prolonged social distancing measures and risk of infection resulted in increased public fatigue. The wide-spread perception that strict quarantine takes priority over human rights protection has given rise to continuous concerns on various human rights issues. In light of these circumstances, the Commission examined ways to ensure that the societywide quarantine system is sustainable and respectful of human rights, while looking for ways to guarantee basic rights and alleviate inequality. 10