Introduction
Directions for Improving the NAP” and “Tasks and Directions to Promote the Rights of North
Korean Defectors.”
Part 1 Introduction
B. Implementation of International Human Rights Norms
1) Supporting enactment of equality and anti-discrimination law,
and responding to hate speech
Supporting the National Assembly to enact an equality law
Given the limitations that individual laws such as the NHRCK Act, Act on the Prohibition of
Employment Act”), and the Act on Prohibition of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities
and Remedy against Infringement of their Rights (hereinafter “Disabilities Discrimination Act”)
have in redressing various forms of discriminations facing our society, the Commission continued
to support legislation of an equality law, an effort that was revived in 2020 after it had died in
2006, based on the sustained recommendation from the international community and calls from
the civil society.
Part 2 Key NHRCK Activities
Age Discrimination in Employment and Elderly Employment Promotion (hereinafter “Elderly
The Commission monitored the legislation effort by hosting strategic meetings with specialists
the international community through Ambassador Roundtables and the 2021 International Human
Rights Conference. Through these efforts, three bills developed using the Commission’s proposed
equality law were motioned at the 21st National Assembly.
Given the lack of progress in subsequent discussions on the bills, the Commission announced
statements in the name of the Committee of the Whole House and of the chairperson on June 21
and November 10, respectively, urging prompt legislation of the law. It also used various other
channels to push for the law, including supporting the 100,000 petition campaign in support of
an equality law; new NHRCK Chairperson Song Doo-hwan’s office calls with key National
Assembly members including the Speaker, party leaders, and the floor leader to ask for their
support for an equality law; close cooperation with relevant organizations, including town hall
meetings jointly with the Coalition for Anti-Discrimination Legislation and human rights offices
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Part 3 Appendices
from various related areas, established appropriate response measures, and garnered the support of