National Human Rights Commission of Korea Annual Report 2021 [Table 2-2-6] Face-to-Face Petitions Submitted and Processed in the Last Five Years (Unit: cases, %) Classification Petitions processed Total Subtotal Year Petitions submitted Petitions closed by counseling Petitions withdrawn Cumulative sum 64,420 63,969 15,860 24.8 30,033 46.9 18,076 28.3 2021 2,411 2,318 323 13.9 1,072 46.2 923 39.8 2020 2,529 2,376 314 13.2 1,079 45.4 983 41.4 2019 2,669 2,649 573 21.6 1,056 39.9 1,020 38.5 2018 2,648 2,654 570 21.5 1,171 44.1 913 34.4 2017 2,765 2,858 672 23.5 1,302 45.6 884 30.9 * The cumulative sum is the total from November 25, 2001 (the date of the establishment of the Commission), to December 31, 2021. * ‌The statistics of submitted and processed complaints include concluded cases that were re-investigated due to the cancellation of administrative proceedings 4. Civil Complaints As the national human rights watchdog, the Commission receives and handles various civil complaints and inquiries, in addition to petitions and investigations. If a complaint cannot be processed and investigated as a petition under the NHRCK Act, the Commission refers it to other remedial measures specified by law, relevant institutions or groups, and even legal counseling. The number of civil complaints and inquiries processed continued to rise in 2021, totaling 39,605. By channel, those received via e-People (pan-governmental civil complaint portal) were the greatest in number at 21,815 (55.1%), followed by the Internet (the Commission website, email, etc.) at 13,119 (33.1%), and mail service and fax at 4,528 (11.4%). Overall, 86.4% of all civil complaints and inquiries were filed online, including e-People. 94