National Human Rights Commission of Korea Annual Report 2022 As of December 31, 2022, the Secretariat consists of four political appointees, the Secretary General, six bureaus, 20 divisions, two teams, five regional offices, one branch office, and one temporary department. The total number of personnel is 248, with 205 working at the headquarters (including the four political appointees) and 43 in the affiliated institutions. Chapter 2 Domestic and International Environment in 2022 The COVID-19 pandemic brought to light preexisting human rights issues in our daily lives. It has exacerbated social and economic polarization, inequality, labor rights concerns, discrimination based on hatred, and gender inequality. These are issues that have often been marginalized in human rights discussions. Consequently, there is a pressing need to enhance social safety nets and foster social integration to address these challenges. With the ongoing occurrence of global disasters and crises, there is a growing demand for adopting a human rights-based approach to disaster management, encompassing both prevention and response measures. Social disasters and climate crises are one of the biggest challenges we face today, as they affect a wide range of rights, including the right to life, health, and housing. However, their impact is not evenly distributed and tends to disproportionately affect certain demographics. Recognizing the urgency of the climate crisis, the international community has framed it as a human rights issue, and the UN Human Rights Council has adopted 12 resolutions addressing the intersection of climate change and human rights obligations. These resolutions highlight the responsibilities of States and corporations, as well as international obligations. The Itaewon Tragedy that took place in October 2022 in Korea served as a stark reminder that the construction of a safe society, including robust disaster safety management and prevention systems, should no longer be postponed. The incident highlighted the importance of having a strong sense of responsibility among national leaders towards ensuring the safety of citizens. 48