Commission's Major Activities National Human Rights Commission of Korea Annual Report 2016 2) Purpose The purpose of the special programme is to carry out objective and specialized investigation and research of human rights conditions in North Korea; systematically collect and manage North Korean human rights-related materials; facilitate cooperation with international organizations and specialists on North Korean human rights issues; routinely organize policy consultation with government ministries; understand North Korea’s internal human rights conditions through increased monitoring of activities by organizations and institutions related to North Korean human rights in Korea and abroad; and seek ways to improve and promote human rights in North Korea. B. Key activities 1) Expression of opinion and Chairperson’s statement ● Chairperson’s statement regarding the legislation of the North Korean Human Rights Act While welcoming the agreement between the ruling and opposition parties to pass the North Korean Human Rights Act, the Commission issued a statement on 28 January, outlining its concerns regarding issues and limitations associated with the agreed bill. ● ‌Chairperson’s welcome statement regarding the Human Rights Council’s adoption of North Korean human rights resolution The Commission welcomed the adoption of a North Korean human rights resolution without a vote by the 31st session of the Human Rights Council. The resolution included the establishment of an expert group to look into ways to hold entities and individuals responsible for human rights abuses accountable. It also issued a statement on 24 March expressing its anticipation for effective improvement of human rights situation in North Korea. ● ‌Expression of opinion regarding the proposed Enforcement Decree of the North Korean Human Rights Act The Commission’s opinion on 2 June stated that the proposed Enforcement Decree of the North Korean Human Rights Act limits, without a valid legal justification, the activities 40