Introduction National Human Rights Commission of Korea Annual Report 2014 Chapter 1. Overview National Human Rights Commission of Korea (hereafter “the NHRCK” or “the Commission”) is an independent national institution which was established on November 25, 2001. The mandate of the NHRCK is to protect and further promote the inviolable human rights of all, thereby realizing the dignity and value of people and contributing to the establishment of fundamental democratic order. The Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions (or the Paris Principle s)1) stipulate the competence and responsibilities of a national institution, its composition and guarantees of independence and pluralism, and methods of operation. As a comprehensive and independent national human rights institution in compliance with the Paris Principles, the NHRCK has been fulfilling the following responsibilities: the improvement of laws, regulations, institutions, policies and practices on human rights; the investigations of and remedies for human rights violations and discriminatory acts; the implementation and integration of international human rights treaties in Korea; and the cooperation with domestic and international organizations and bodies defending and promoting human rights. The year 2014 marked the 66th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was also the final year of the third phase of the 1) The Principles were adopted by the UN Human Rights Committee Resolution 1992/54 of March 3, 1992 and the UN General Assembly Resolution 48/134 of December 20, 1993. As the meeting to establish the principles was held in Paris, France, they are often called ‘the Paris Principles’.