62 Commission's Major Activities 4 September 2016, more than ten years after it was motioned at the 17th National Assembly in August 2005. The legislation enabled institutional arrangements and establishment of execution bodies to improve human rights in North Korea. In November, the Commission sent a communication to the United Nations Secretary General and submitted an urgent petition to the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council for the right to safety of South Korean nationals held captive in the North, including verification of their life or death. In December, a resolution adopted by the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly condemned North Korea’s gross human rights violations and reminded the country of its obligation to comply with the United Nations Convention as a signatory. The same resolution also included opinion regarding necessary measures to be taken by the North, including resuming reunions of separated families and verification of whether or not foreigners detained in the country are still alive. 2) Purpose The purpose of the special program is to carry out objective and specialized investigation and research on the 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.