National Human Rights Commission of Korea Annual Report 2020 on the findings, Kakao plans to announce hate speech standards in January 2021. The Commission also worked closely with the Self-Governance Organization (KISO) to encourage more participation in self-regulatory measures by online platform providers. ■ Global COVID-19 pandemic and hate speech Amid the COVID-19 crisis, public anxiety and fear of the virus translated into hate speech. On February 5, the Commission issued a special statement in which it expressed concerns about actions that incite hate, appealing to all constituents of the society to cope with the social phenomenon with love for mankind and solidarity so that everybody can live in dignity and with respect for one another. Notably, when sexual minorities came under fire and hate following a media report on a collective COVID-19 infection case in May that highlighted sexual minorities, the Commission issued an emergency statement in which it urged the government and media not to incite hate and discrimination against sexual minorities by disclosing information unrelated to diagnosis and prevention measures. The Commission organized a global campaign titled ‘hope ON, hate OFF’ to build international solidarity for love of mankind, solidarity, respect, and support so that everyone can move beyond hate and discrimination intensified by fears of COVID-19 infection. It posted Youtube videos on ‘COVID-19 and countering hate,’ and produced and distributed web posters and promotional videos. In view of understanding the effects of COVID-19 on hate and discrimination, the Commission analyzed big data of online expressions of hate from January to May. The result showed that fears of the COVID-19 crisis were used as justification for making hate speech against specific groups. This pointed to a need for the government and media to take a firm stance on the issue, campaigns to make it difficult to express hate, and campaign programs led by the government and the media. ■ Survey of hate and discrimination against transgender persons The emergence of transgender issues in early 2020, including the college admission of a transgender student and the forced discharge of an enlisted soldier who had undergone a transgender operation while in active service, has stirred a debate on the rights of transgender persons. Of all sexual minorities, transgender people are faced with the most challenging social 56