National Human Rights Commission of Korea Annual Report 2017
4
Chapter
29
Assessment and Challenges
Part 1
The Commission successfully briefed the President following the inauguration of the new
administration in 2017, managed the Operations Innovation Task Force and, as a follow-up
rights conditions in central government agencies by instituting a new category for acceptance
of its recommendation and human rights improvement in the government’s performance
assessment.
To complete the 4th Action Plan for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in 2017,
the Commission focused on building a foundation for the promotion of human rights, protecting
the rights of the socially marginalized and vulnerable classes, disseminating the values of human
rights across the society, shaping public opinion about human rights and increasing cooperation,
and managing programs to improve human rights in North Korea. Based on these priorities, it
finalized the 5th Action Plan for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (2018-2020)
using feedback from human rights organizations, civil society groups, and the public. In the
5th Action Plan, enhanced social rights and anti-discrimination efforts are the two strategic
objectives of the Commission in order to address pressing polarization and discriminations
concerns.
The Commission’s efforts to reinforce a system for human rights guarantee include a
proposed amendment to the Constitution to incorporate enhanced basic rights, facilitation of
the enactment of the Framework Act on Human Rights, a bill on human rights defenders in
the military, analysis of human rights systems in local governments, and technical assistance
and cooperation with respect to human rights ordinances. It also responded to a changing
human rights environment by recommending the Top Ten Human Rights Tasks to the new
administration, including promoting human rights in an ageing society marked by a low birth
rate, social integration and enhanced quality of life by narrowing social polarization.
In 2017, the Commission continued its efforts for institutional improvements necessary
to guarantee the rights of the socially marginalized people like irregular workers, children,
seniors, women, persons with disabilities, and immigrants. Some major outcomes include
Introduction
measure, launched and operated the Innovation Committee, and worked to improve human