Introduction which is a 5.9%p increase from the previous year. Moreover, the Commission stepped up timely responses to human rights issues on the ground through ex officio investigations and emergency relief decisions. Consequently, some significant recommendations were made to improve existing practices, laws, and regulations, and to protect the rights of social minorities. the COVID-19 situation made it difficult to engage face-to-face. This raised the need to develop The investigative jurisdiction gained by the police following the adjustment of investigative jurisdiction between the police and the prosecution raised the need to prevent and democratically control abuse of power and human rights abuse by the 100,000-strong police force. This calls for the Commission to strengthen investigation and remedial activities pertaining to investigative agencies, and to create a police & prosecution human rights investigation division to exercise external control on investigative agencies. At the end of 2020, the Commission's Discrimination Remedy Bureau (including bureau chief and division chiefs) had a personnel quota of 33, which is similar to the level when the Commission’s organization was reduced under the Lee Myung-bak administration (30 persons at the end of 2008). Given the surge in discrimination cases compared to the past, this structure has limited the Commission’s ability to perform its mission in a stable and steady manner, and meet public expectations. In the long run, the Commission must be re-organized for greater independence and authority, latitude in personnel hiring and manning, and establishment of a new gender-equality division. To reinforce its functions related to gender-based discriminations, the Commission has, since July 24, 2018, relied on the total payroll costs program to operate the provisional Gender Discrimination Remedy Team, but this arrangement has considerably strained the Commission's ability to take prompt remedial actions against sexual harassment and gender discrimination incidents, and respond to gender issues preemptively. Also, given the recommendation by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women that increased authority and sufficient resources be given to the Commission to deal with gender and women’s rights issues, a permanent division-level office should be established before the term of the Gender Discrimination Remedy Team expires on June 30, 2021. 37 Introduction new ways to continue cooperating with stakeholders in contactless settings. Part 1 Despite the need for the Commission to maintain cooperation and discussions with stakeholders,