Part 2 | Introduction 2 Chapter 1 Introduction NHRCK Overview An independent national institution dedicated to human rights issues, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (hereinafter referred to as the “Commission”) was established on November 25, 2001 in accordance with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea Act (hereinafter referred to as the “NHRCK Act”) to uphold the right to and respect for human dignity, while contributing to reinforcing democracy by safeguarding and promoting fundamental, inviolable human rights. The Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (the “Paris Principles”) were laid out at a time when newly democratized nations were beginning to establish national human rights institutions in the late 1980s. The Paris Principles were adopted by the United Nations (the “UN”) Commission on Human Rights Resolution (1992/54) in 1992 and the UN General Assembly in 1993. Discussions to establish a national human rights institution in Korea were first sparked when a joint committee of private entities took part in the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna, Austria, in June 1993. With continuously voicing the need for a national institution dedicated to human rights issues, human rights and civil society organizations engaged in public discourse on enacting legislation to establish an independent national human rights institution responsible for research, investigation, education, and promotion related to the protection and enhancement of human rights in accordance with the UN Commission on Human Rights Resolution (1992/54) and the Paris Principles. 45 Part 2 | Introduction 1. Establishment and Key Functions