Key Activities human rights standards ; enhancing cooperation with civil society; and improving the human rights conditions in North Korea. Section 2. Policy Recommendations and Opinions 1. Status of Recommendations and Opinions [Table 2-1-1] Status of Recommendations and Opinions on Related Laws and Policies (Unit : cases) Classification Policy recommendations Total Opinions expressed Opinions submitted Cumulative sum 877 390 458 29 2018 103 27 74 2 2017 63 28 32 3 2016 64 30 33 1 2015 72 44 26 2 2014 36 12 23 1 * The cumulative sum is the total from November 25, 2001 (the date of the establishment of the Commission), to December 31, 2019. In 2019, the number of policy recommendations made by the Commission remained at levels similar to the previous year. However, the number of opinions expressed more than doubled to total 74, an indication that the Commission was actively involved in finding institutional solutions to various human rights issues. The increase by 40 or more in opinions expressed over the previous year is reflective of the efforts made by the Commission to identify areas for improvement in policies and practices. It also made policy recommendations and expressed opinions following ex officio investigations and on-site investigations. 30